Collisions between a car and a semi-truck can be deadly. An estimated 475,000 large trucks are involved collisions every year. This results in more than 140,000 injuries and 5,000 fatalities. These collisions are caused by distracted driving, over-tired, over-worked truck drivers, failure to properly maintain equipment, excessive speed and a host of other causes, all of which are preventable.
While the numbers vary each year, almost 30 percent of large truck accidents in 2015 were caused when trucks were rear-ended. Almost 30 percent of those killed in large truck accidents the same year were involved in head-on collisions. This data suggests that motorists tailgate large trucks and do not give them enough time to slow down or stop. Drivers might also try to pass large trucks or cross the center lane when tired or distracted, which can lead to the head-on crashes.
Most truck drivers are likely not filled with road rage or reckless behaviors, but a truck driver could still be responsible for an accident that causes injuries. If negligence causes a preventable crash, a victim could file a personal injury claim in civil court to receive compensation. Fatigued driving could cause an accident if a trucker falls asleep or makes a mistake due to exhaustion. One may wish to consult an attorney when seeking damages related to a crash.
