Interstate 80 is one of the most heavily-trafficked freight corridors in the United States, with more than 8,500 large trucks traveling on the highway every day. Semi-truck accidents, although less common than car accidents, tend to be far more deadly—in 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 20.5% of traffic fatalities in Iowa involved a large truck. Illinois wasn’t far behind at 14.2%.
These statistics are sobering, but the good news is that like many other traffic accidents, commercial truck accidents are often preventable. By understanding some of the most common truck accident causes, you can better prepare yourself and the other drivers in your family to stay safe while traveling in the Quad Cities. Learn more about what leads to semi-truck accident crashes from the personal injury lawyers at Winstein, Kavensky, & Cunningham.
#1: Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents. Between 2015 and 2019, according to NHTSA data, just over 20% of all fatal large truck accidents involved speeding, either by the truck driver or other motorists in the crash. But what makes speeding so deadly?
Even on an urban interstate, where the maximum speed limit is 55 miles per hour, it can take a semi-truck 335 feet to come to a complete stop. If a driver is speeding by just 10 miles an hour over the speed limit, that stopping time increases to 525 feet.
When truck drivers and other motorists increase their speed, so too does the risk of being in an accident. This risk goes up even more if a semi-truck is carrying a large load, visibility is low, or roads are slick.
#2: Impairment
When many of us think of an impaired driver, we often think of drunk driving. But there are several major types of driver impairment, including driving under the influences of alcohol, recreational or illicit drugs, or prescription medication; fatigued driving; and driving while suffering from an illness, injury, or in a heightened emotional state. When combined, impairment is among the most common truck accident causes.
For example, drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or more contributed to at least 14% of fatal large truck crashes in 2019 per NHTSA data. Another 4% of crashes involved at least one driver with a BAC under the legal limit, but over 0.01%. In addition, drowsy driving was a confirmed factor in at least 3% of deadly semi collisions.
#3: Distracted or Inattentive Driving
Distracted driving is a major contributor to all kinds of traffic accidents, from motorcycle crashes to pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Because of the sheer size and reduced ability to stop quickly, commercial truck accidents that involve one or more distracted drivers are far more likely to cause serious injuries or death.
Distractions can take many different forms. Some of these include texting, talking, or listening on a mobile device, looking at an electronic logging device (ELD), eating or drinking, reaching for an object inside the vehicle, adjusting controls such as the radio or air conditioning, daydreaming or getting lost in thought, and distractions by other passengers. Losing focus in these ways, even just for a few moments, can be deadly when traveling at highway speeds.
#4: Failure to Yield Right of Way
Yielding the right of way is one of the most important rules of the road. Unfortunately, whether due to carelessness or driver inexperience, many accidents are caused either by a truck driver or another motorist failing to yield the right of way.
There are several common scenarios that result in failure to yield and a subsequent collision. When a passenger vehicle attempts to pass a semi-truck on the right instead of on the left, for example, they run the risk of driving in the commercial truck’s blind spot and being hit. Also, because semis have to make wide turns, passenger vehicles can end up squeezed between the curb and a semi as it turns into an intersection if they are in its blind spot. Other common locations for failure to yield situations are when merging onto a highway, at left-turn intersections, and pedestrian crossings.
#5: Careless Driving
Careless driving is also a major contributing factor to truck accident causes. The Iowa Code defines careless driving as intentionally causing unnecessary tire squealing, skidding or sliding upon acceleration or stopping, racing, purposely causing any wheels to lose contact with the ground, or causing a vehicle to unnecessarily turn abruptly or sway.
Although Illinois doesn’t define careless driving in the Illinois Compiled Statutes, it does reference reckless driving, which involves “driving any vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property” or using an incline to cause a vehicle to become airborne. Other common acts of careless driving may include running a red light, driving over the speed limit, and crossing the center median.
Other Factors That Contribute to Commercial Truck Accidents
Often, accidents happen for a multitude of reasons, many of which aren’t always able to be accurately recorded on accident reports. Other contributing factors to serious and fatal large truck accidents may include:
- Brake problems (whether due to a lack of maintenance or faulty brakes)
- Traffic flow interruption (often due to congestion or a previous car accident)
- Prescription drug use
- Over-the-counter drug use
- Traveling too fast for current conditions (not necessarily over the speed limit)
- Unfamiliarity with the roadway
- Roadway problems or ongoing construction (including in work zones)
- Inadequate surveillance
What to Do After a Quad Cities Semi-Truck Accident
Accidents involving large commercial trucks are almost always complex. Not only do they usually result in more serious injuries and wrongful death they also involve trucking companies and their often-formidable insurance carriers. Going up against these insurance companies on your own is not recommended without the help of an attorney. If there is any doubt as to who caused the accident, the trucking company and their insurance provider will fight tooth and nail to deny your claim.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a large truck crash in the Quad Cities, legal help is just one phone call away. Our law office located in Rock Island, Illinois serves all of the Quad Cities, including Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa and Moline and East Moline, Illinois.
Call us anytime at (309) 794-1515 to schedule your free, no obligation consultation with a semi-truck accident lawyer. We’ll carefully review the details of your case and explain all your legal options after an accident at no charge. You can also reach us through LiveChat or by filling out this form.
Our legal team is also available for home and hospital visits, in addition to evening and weekend appointments. In addition, should you decide to use our services, you won’t pay us any fees unless we obtain a financial recovery on your behalf. Contact us today!