While large trucks are necessary on our Los Angeles highways for the transportation of goods and materials, they serve as a constant reminder that motor vehicle collisions are always moments away. Whether driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or simply not paying attention to the task at hand, truck drivers can demolish the smaller vehicles around them.
Due to their size and speed, collisions involving 18-wheelers often result in catastrophic injuries, devastating property damage and driver fatalities. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) constantly reviews traffic accidents and safety statistics in an effort to educate drivers and make roadways less dangerous.
Through a comprehensive Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS), they have uncovered three major types of critical events assigned to large truck accidents.
- Running out of the travel lane, either into another lane or off the road
- Loss of control due to traveling too fast for conditions, cargo shift, vehicle systems failure or poor road conditions
- Colliding with the rear end of another vehicle in the truck’s travel lane
These critical events can be the result of numerous other factors such as drowsy driving, drunk driving, distracted driving or reckless driving. Truck drivers are held to a professional standard but must also maintain a rigorous schedule to remain profitable. Unfortunately, these truck collisions often leave the occupants of smaller vehicles with life-long injuries.
If you were injured or you have lost a loved one due to an inattentive truck driver, it is wise to seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney. A lawyer can answer your questions and provide the representation you need.