A recent study conducted by the state of Washington found that the number of truck accidents involving log trucks has declined by 11 percent even as the number of accidents involving all commercial trucks increased by 15 percent over a two-year period.
The most deadly and costly vehicular accidents involve commercial truck accidents. What are Commercial Trucks, Log Trucks?
In the United States, commercial trucks, also commonly referred to as heavy trucks, are those vehicles used to transport cargo and weighing more than 26,001 pounds in which case a commercial truck driver's license is also needed.
Researchers have reported that while the construction of commercial trucks continues to improve, the level of quality still remains well below the quality level of automobiles and it has been said that commercial trucks remain well below automobiles in quality due mainly to the fact that nearly 3/4 of all commercial trucks are custom built, causing inefficiencies in steamlining a commercial truck assembly line.
Top truck manufacturers are as follows:
• American LaFrance
• Autocar Company USA
• Crane Carrier Corporation
• Chevrolet
• Colet
• Dodge
• E-One
• Freightliner
• Ford
• GMC
• Hino
• Isuzu
• Kenworth
• Mack Trucks
• International
• Nissan
• Oshkosh
• Ottawa Truck
• Peterbilt
• Pierce
• Sterling Trucks
• UD Nissan Diesel
• Volvo Trucks
• Western Star
Logging trucks and log truck drivers are no different from commercial trucks or commercial truck drivers, however, the Washington study conducted by the Washington State University found that a small group of log truck drivers are often considered seasoned and experienced drivers of the dangerous profession, which may be attributing to the total decrease of log truck accidents. Protecting Yourself from a Truck Accident
Individuals who have been involved in a commercial truck accident are advised to seek medical assistance even if no signs or symptoms of an injury are present. Receiving a free legal consultation on injuries derived from a truck accident can provide relief from stress or worry over medical bills or automotive debts associated with a commercial truck collision or a log truck wreck.
Issues Surrounding Truck Accidents and Injuries In 2007, the USDOT reported that:
• There were 236,468 non-fatal large truck accidents
• 54,961 injury-related large truck accidents
• 80,752 injuries due to large truck accidents
Large truck accidents account for a significant portion of vehicle accidents every year and also account for a portion of crash-related injuries and fatalities among drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Causes of Truck Accidents There are a plethora of reasons that an individual can become involved in a truck accident, but there are a list of common, reoccurring truck accident scenarios that have been identified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which conducts research on highway collisions involving an array of motor vehicles.
The following are some of the primary causes for a fatality or injury because of a truck crash:
• Trucks hitting pedestrians
• The force of the collision between a large truck and a smaller passenger vehicle/vehicles
• Trucks hitting fixed objects
• Loss of control (tire blow out, vehicle failure, weather conditions, etc.)
• Animal in roadway
• Physical driver factor, including falling asleep, heart attack, etc.
Another study conducted by the FMCSA also found that truck accidents will vary based on roadway type, weight of vehicle and cargo body type. Additionally, weight factored into the equation of truck accidents and truck fatalities/injuries.
The study measured truck weight by single unit trucks (two axles, threes axles, etc.) and combination trucks (tractor trucks, truck pulling trailers, etc.). Of these, 62 percent of accidents were made up by combination trucks, specifically the tractor truck pulling a trailer.
The study also detailed the different varieties of truck types involved in accidents:
• Van trucks, including closed van, refrigerated van and open top van
• Dump trucks (rear dump trucks and bottom dump/hopper bottom)
• Tankers (tank-liquid, tank-dry bulk and tank-compressed gas)
• Garbage refuse trucks
• Cement mixers
• Pole/logging trucks
• Auto carriers
• Livestock carriers
• Bobtail units (with no cargo body)
• Other category, which includes tow trucks, etc.
• Unknown category (meaning un-inspected vehicles)
Of these trucks, the van trucks accounted for 46 percent of large truck crashes with dump trucks accounting for 16 percent of accidents and flatbed trucks accounting for 15 percent.
Truck Accident Costs While the percentage of truck accidents varies each year, the UMTRI has noted that there is a steady increase of truck accident fatalities and injuries among passengers.
The study found that: An average truck accident cost $91,112 in 2005.
• Crashes involving truck-tractors with two or three trailers accounted for the most costly crashes averaging $289,549 per crash.
• Truck crashes involving trucks with no trailers and straight trucks cost an average of $56,296 per crash.
• Truck crashes that involved a fatality cost nearly $3,604,518 per crash.
• Whereas, truck crashes involving injury-only crashes averaged at $195,258 per crash.
Seeking Assistance after a Truck Accident
It is often difficult for an individual to gauge the devastation that has just occurred after a truck collision.
Additionally, it may be necessary for a truck accident victim to consult an experienced truck accident attorney for legal purposes, which may include a legal consultation for a potential truck accident lawsuit.
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