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Top 10 Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

Truck driver on radio

Semi-trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, making accidents involving them far more dangerous than the average car accident. Truck accidents are preventable, however; a lot of the time, all it takes is a bit of awareness and action to avoid their common causes.

Together, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) to look into the most common causes of commercial truck crashes. Each crash involved at least one large truck and resulted in either a fatality or an injury.

Per the groundbreaking study, the top 10 causes of semi-truck accidents are:

  1. Brake issues
  2. Congestion, a previous crash, or other traffic
  3. Prescription drug use
  4. Speeding
  5. Driving on unfamiliar roads
  6. Roadway problems
  7. Not stopping at crosswalks, streetlights, and for other traffic controls
  8. Over-the-counter drug use
  9. Insufficient surveillance
  10. Drowsiness

The study did not specify whether these issues were on the part of the truck driver or that of another motorist. Still, motorists can reduce their risk of being involved in a crash by driving defensively and paying attention to the road. Truck drivers and passenger car drivers alike are encouraged to navigate the road with care, not only because the law requires it but because doing so can save lives.

Qualified Trial Lawyers for Truck Accident Victims

At Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A., we have a team of Fort Lauderdale attorneys dedicated to fighting for the rights of truck accident victims. If you have been injured in a truck crash due to the negligence of another—whether that means a commercial or noncommercial motorist—we will launch a full investigation into the accident to build an irrefutable case. In the past 60 years, we have helped client after client recover millions of dollars in compensation for their injuries.

For a free consultationwith a Fort Lauderdale trial lawyer, call Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A. at (954) 467-8800.