Truck Accidents Most Often Occur Between Noon and 3 p.m.
An estimated 10 percent of all fatal auto accidents are the result of collisions involving a semi-truck. Drivers of other vehicles are at greater risk for injuries or death as a result of crashes with these vehicles because of their behemoth size and weight. Trucks are often carrying heavy cargo, and a slight mistake from the driver behind the wheel could have catastrophic consequences. An experienced attorney can investigate the details of a case to represent drivers and demand an appropriate settlement for damages.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 67 percent of deaths resulting from truck accidents were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles.
An estimated 50 percent of truck accidents, according to the IIHS, occur during hours in which many other motorists may be on the road: between 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the largest percentage of truck accidents, 19 percent, occurring between the hours of noon and 3 p.m. In contrast, while the weekends often see a spike in passenger vehicles crashes due to drug or alcohol use by drivers as well an influx of vehicles on the road, weekdays, particularly Tuesdays, are the deadliest days for truck accidents.
The three main causes of truck accidents are mechanical defects, new tour routes, and fatigue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that drowsy truck drivers are twice as likely to make driving errors at critical moments, leading to tragic accidents – especially for those who are operating vehicles that weigh up to 40 tons (nearly 25 times the weight of a family car).
Hourly limitations are in place; Department of Transportation (DOT) freight and truck drivers may work no more than 60-hours over seven consecutive days and no more than 14 hours a day. However, to abide by those limitations, most truck drivers drive for at least 12-hours each day.
For this reason, there has been a lot of public discussion about the best and safest times for trucks to be on the road. As a driver, it is always important to be aware of your surroundings and look for any signs that other motorists, especially those operating trucks or big rig vehicles, may be distracted, dangerously tired, or have lost – or about to lose – control of their vehicle.
Signs of exhausted driving include:
- Drivers who change speeds unpredictably,
- Drivers who weave in and out of lanes to pass other vehicles,
- Drivers who slowly veer in and out of lanes, and
- Drivers who engage in excessive speeding, among others.
While an accident at any time can have devastating consequences, a commercial truck accident is potentially far more catastrophic than one between automobiles. So, filing a claim and getting the compensation you deserve can be daunting and complicated and would be best left to an experienced attorney.
Commercial trucking companies often employ highly skilled lawyers who are adept at keeping compensation as low as possible. You need an equally heavy hitter on your side. That’s where Bond Legal comes in. We fight with you and for you, to make sure you get the results you deserve. Call the experienced team of attorneys at Bond Legal today at (866) 423-7724 to schedule your free initial consultation.