Accidents involving large trucks, tractor-trailers, and other big rigs are both frightening and dangerous. If you have been the victim of such a collision, having a knowledgeable trucking accident attorney fighting on your behalf can be a great relief.
Causes of Truck Accidents in South Carolina
Certainly, every accident has its own set of unique and complex facts. Many elements may converge to create a dangerous situation. Often, critical events precede accidents. Most commonly, three factors lead to collisions for large trucks:
- Nearly one-third of accidents are related to waning lanes causing trucks to have to merge;
- 29 percent of accidents are directly connected to a driver’s loss of control, whether due to shifting loads, speeding, vehicle failures, or other problems;
- Nearly a quarter of accidents involved a rear-end collision.
Breaking down these factors in more detail, a number of issues may contribute to truck accidents including:
- Training and prior experience of drivers;
- Vehicle manufacturing or design issues;
- Road conditions;
- Weather issues;
- Traffic or signaling issues;
- Driver fatigue;
- Recklessness such as speeding;
- Impaired driving.
Driver Errors
Critical issues attached to drivers are often a factor in trucking accidents. These might include a number of scenarios, including:
- Non-performance issues, including physical impairment (such as a heart attack) or falling asleep at the wheel;
- Recognition errors, when drivers become distracted or fail to react appropriately to conditions;
- Decision errors; such as failing to slow down in stormy weather;
- Performance issues, including panicking, overcompensating, or losing control of the vehicle.
Numbers Tell the Tale
Nationally, the number of accidents involving big rigs and large trucks is astounding.
- 29 percent of accidents include issues related to brake problems;
- 17 percent of drivers were using over the counter medications;
- 16,000 drivers felt pressured to keep moving even though they would have preferred to stop;
- The number of accidents reported across the nation approaches 500,000 annually, resulting in nearly 4,000 deaths and over 100,000 injuries;
- More than one in five such crashes are single vehicle incidents, often impacting pedestrians or bicyclists;
- Over 60 percent of fatalities involving big rigs involved two or more vehicles;
- Fatal collisions most often occur on rural roadways (61 percent);
- 84 percent of fatal collisions and 88 percent of nonfatal crashes involving big rigs occur on weekdays, not weekends;
- When fatalities involving large trucks occur, the occupant of the truck is not the victim in more than eight in 10 cases;
- Fatal accidents involving big trucks are on the rise, up 13 percent since 2010.
Following a Trucking Accident Accident
If an accident with a big rig put you in the hospital, liability may lie with the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, the driver, or elsewhere. Having the experienced attorneys at Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm working on your case means all avenues will be thoroughly explored, and the team will be fighting for the best possible outcomes for you. Contact our Greenville office today to discuss the possibilities. The initial consultation is free and confidential.