Top 10 Semi-Truck Accident Causes | Midland Trucking Attorneys

With the recent oil boom and its accompanying economic gains, traffic in Midland is on the rise. As more big rigs transport goods through the city, more local motorists are on edge, and it’s easy to understand why. Semi-trucks increase the likelihood of getting into an accident with a vehicle much more substantial than the average car. If you were in a Midland trucking accident, you might want to uncover what caused your accident and seek justice. The lawyers of Carabin Shaw are here to help.

To decrease semi-truck wrecks by better understanding their causes, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS). This study covers statistics from accidents that occurred between April 2001 and December 2003. While there were 120,000 crashes in that timeframe, the study analyzes a representative sample of 963 accidents. For each collision, the LTCCS coded hundreds of associated data points for each involved vehicle. The study found that the top 10 semi-truck accident causes are:

1. Brake Problems: While Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require semi-trucks to pass brake inspection every year, many things can go wrong in the intervening time. If you think brake failure caused your wreck, Midland truck accident lawyers can help investigate.
2. Traffic flow interruption: Congested roadways are tough for big trucks to navigate if their drivers aren’t paying close attention to the road. Previous crashes, construction, and other changes to traffic flow can disorient truckers who are unfamiliar with the area. If your Midland trucking accident occurred during heavy traffic, you might have cause to sue for damages.
3. Prescription drug use: Because they can have such severe side effects, like drowsiness, some prescription drugs pose risks to both truckers and the people with whom they share the road.
4. Traveling too fast for conditions: While snow and ice rarely factor into Midland road conditions, rain can increase the danger of driving by limiting visibility and making it harder to brake. Additionally, slippery streets and highways might lead to hydroplaning. If you got into an accident with a semi-truck while driving in severe weather, call an attorney today.
5. Unfamiliarity with the roadway: Like any motorist, truckers may experience anxiety or confusion when driving in a new place. Not knowing local traffic codes, construction zones, or what lane to be in can cause a crash.
6. Roadway problems: Environmental concerns like construction and potholes factor into about 20% of all semi-truck accidents.
7. Required to stop before crash: If a traffic control device or crosswalk required a driver to stop and he or she continued to go (likely because of inattention), you likely have a case. Midland semi-truck accident lawyers can help you file a claim.
8. Over-the-counter drug use: Similar to prescription drugs, some over-the-counter medications have side effects that can be dangerous for anyone operating heavy machinery.
9. Inadequate surveillance: Failing to check both mirrors and blind spots caused 14% of accidents in the LTCCS study.
10. Fatigue: Contrary to popular estimation, operator fatigue is at the bottom of the LTCCS list. However, it still poses a significant risk to other drivers on the road, as it contributed to 13% of crashes. If the semi-truck driver in your Midland trucking accident seemed fatigued or out of it, call a lawyer immediately to discuss your case.

If any of the above seem related to your semi-truck accident, you should seek legal representation as soon as possible.

The Midland truck accident lawyers of Carabin Shaw know how to handle semi-truck cases, and we promise to use our expertise to advocate on your behalf. We offer our clients a free consultation. Additionally, our contracts are contingency fee, which means we will not charge you unless we win your case. You have nothing to lose by calling today.

To connect with a Midland attorney, call 432-620-0544 or reach us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260.