Truck accidents happen more frequently than not. According to 2019 data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent, nonprofit organization that researches and analyzes motor vehicle accidents in the U.S.:

• There were 2,811 deaths in crashes involving trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds from January to June 2022
• 4,119 people died in accidents involving large trucks in the U.S. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.)
• Most of those fatalities (67%) were the occupants of the smaller vehicles.
• The number of truck accident fatalities was 31% higher than it was 10 years earlier.
• Most fatal truck accidents occurred on weekdays and between the hours of 6 AM and 6 PM
• More than half (52%) of truck accidents occurred on major roads and 32% occurred on freeways and interstates

What are the most common causes of 18 wheeler truck accidents?:

• Truck Driver Negligence/Error: Truck drivers engaging in negligent or reckless conduct such as speeding, driving under the influence, (drug/alcohol), driving while distracted e.g.: consuming food, or beverages while driving.
• Violations of Drivers Service Hours: There are strict state regulations which state how many hours a truck driver can be behind the wheel a day. These are called hours of service regulations. Truck drivers who fail to abide by these rules and regulation run the risk of driver fatigue which can often lead to dangerous accidents.
• Not keeping up with proper Maintenance & Repairs: A responsible truck driver knows how important routine inspection, maintenance and repairs are to the life of the truck and for safety while driving on the roads. Truck drivers who choose to ignore scheduled maintenance and repairs are responsible for the terrible accidents cause by cutting corners on maintenance and repairs.
• Problems with the Load: Federal & State laws have limits on how much weight an 18-wheeler trucks or commercial vehicles can haul. Overloading a trailer is not only against the law but it poses an extreme risk to other drivers on the road. Sudden swerves can cause the load to shift and cause the driver to lose control causing deadly accidents and injuries.
• Dangerous Weather and Road Conditions: When road conditions are less than ideal, truck drivers have the responsibility adjust to road conditions. In a heavy snow, rain or wind storm, truck drivers need to take proper precautions to drive safely. Poor road conditions can and often do quickly turn into multi-car accidents.
• Defective Truck Parts:Factory defects can also be an issue that leads to accidents on the road. Common defective parts can cause brake system failure, engine component failure, or cause truck tires to blow out on the highway causing truck tire accidents.
• Third-Party Driver Negligence: There are times when accidents involving trucks are caused by a 3rd party drivers. Aggressive driver often swerve in and out of traffic. While most experienced truckers adjust or take a “let ‘em Pass” stance, There are times when a truck driver can’t react in time to avoid a crash or swerve into another lane to try to avoid an accident hitting another car in the process.

One of the things that makes truck accidents so complex is the issue of liability. In many cases involving truck driver negligence, the trucking company is the one that can be held liable. This is because employers are typically liable for the conduct of their employees while their employees are “on the clock.” However, the trucking company may dispute liability by arguing that the truck driver violated company policy or that the truck driver is an independent contractor, not an employee.

In other cases, the truck driver or the trucking company may share some of the liability with a third party, such as a manufacturer or the party responsible for truck maintenance or repairs. It is important that you work with an experienced truck accident attorney who can thoroughly investigate your claim and identify all possible avenues of compensation. In some cases, you may have grounds for multiple personal injury claims against multiple parties.