Facts about Truck Accidents

Spotlight on Tractor Trailer Accidents

May, 2008

Tractor Trailer Driver Dies In Accident Gurmukh Kalar, of Canada, died when his tractor trailer slammed into the back of another tractor trailer on I-75 South in Georgia. His cab burst into flames, and he was unable to escape. Traffic was very slow due to construction on the interstate, and witnesses say that he did not have time to stop. Two other tractor trailers and a passenger vehicle were also involved by suffering minor damage from flying debris. No one else was seriously hurt. It took the Haz-Mat crews until morning rush hour to clean up the accident scene and re-open the interstate. Click here to read more information about tractor trailer accidents. If you or someone you know has been injured in a tractor trailer accident, contact one of our truck accident lawyers in your area today!

A trucking accident occurs when large trailers (10,000+ lbs.)
collide with other vehicles or pedestrians. Around 500,000 trucking accidents occur every year in the United States. Of these, approximately 5,000 trucking accidents result in fatalities. In fact, one out of every eight traffic fatalities involves a trucking collision.

Most of the deaths and injuries involve the passengers of vehicles while the drivers of the tractor trailers usually escape trucking collisions with little or no personal injury.

Due to the large size of trucks, an accident can greatly endanger the lives of other smaller vehicles unnecessarily when tractor trailer operators fail to consider proper crash prevention.

Common Causes Of Truck Accidents:

• Unlicensed Driver
• Speeding
• Disobeying Safety Procedure
• Motor Vehicle Inspection Failure
• Repair & Maintenance Failure
• Failure to Yield The Right of Way
• DUI / DWI
• Driver Fatigue
• Trucker Overturns
• Backing
• Vehicle Collisions
• Mechanical or Brake Failure
• Tires Blow Up
• Transporting Equipment with Trailers
• Overloaded Trucks or Trailers
• Loads That Shift Weight

Trucking injuries can be prevented if passenger vehicle drivers take special care when driving near tractor-trailers. If a trucking collision does occur, record as much information as possible, including names and contact information of witnesses.

Updated: LW