Common Causes of Truck Accidents

    TAMPA, FL, August 04, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Due to their size, weight and lack of maneuverability, semi-trucks can be especially dangerous when involved in an accident.

Truck accidents result in a higher percentage of personal injury and wrongful death than collisions involving passenger vehicles. Like most traffic accidents, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other large trucks are largely avoidable.

The trucking industry is regulated by numerous federal and state laws. That said, time is money, and many drivers and trucking agencies set unrealistic schedules and attempt to skirt regulations regarding driver hours, cargo limits and documentation in order to maximize profits.

Among the most common causes of truck accidents are:

- Aggressive driving
- Distracted driving
- Driver intoxication
- Driver fatigue
- Insufficient driver training/underqualified driver
- Mechanical failure/defective equipment
- Overloaded with cargo
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Unsecured loads

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large trucks accounted for 7 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal accidents in 2009, the last year for which complete figures are available. Of the 3,215 large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2009, more than 70 percent were combination trucks.

The size and weight of trucks can cause them to respond in dangerous ways, even if a qualified driver is attempting to avoid a collision. Common types of truck accidents include:

- Jackknife
- Rollover
- Tanker spills
- Underride

If you've been injured or a family member was killed in a truck accident, it's advisable to contact an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible following the accident. Because the laws governing trucking are complex and vary from state to state, a skilled truck accident attorney can help ensure you receive the financial compensation you need and deserve.

If you would like to learn more about your legal options following a truck accident, please visit the website of the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Gainesville, Florida, truck accident attorneys at the Luhrsen Law Group at www.luhrsen.com.

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