When it comes to the issue of truck crashes, people are split. Car drivers claim that truck drivers are unsafe because they are disproportionately more likely to be in a crash. Truck drivers tell a very different story, and many cite statistics claiming that the smaller vehicle is found at fault in about 80% of truck accidents. But who really causes the majority of these crashes? Let’s look at the data.
The Truth
It’s no secret that the majority of truck crashes (80%) are, in fact, caused by smaller vehicles. The data on this is well established and corroborated by both studies from the trucking industry and federal organizations. However, there is a somewhat important distinction to make here.
The smaller vehicle is found at fault in 4-in-5 crashes involving more than one vehicle. However, not all accidents occur on the highway, and not all of them involve multiple vehicles. Crashes involving only one vehicle (including those that injure pedestrians or cause other kinds of property damage) account for 40% of all truck accidents or about 100,000 crashes per year.
Semi-Trucks and Pedestrians
Although we commonly imagine semi-trucks on the highway, pedestrian accidents in low-speed commerce areas are a huge problem for truck drivers and a significant contributing factor of single-vehicle accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, about 1-in-20 of these single-vehicle truck crashes injure or kill pedestrians.
There are many reasons for these, but like other kinds of truck crashes, it primarily comes down to an issue of visibility. Trucks cannot see pedestrians in front of or next to their vehicle.
For example, say a semi-truck needs to make a right turn. They have a green light, but the pedestrian at the crosswalk also has a WALK signal. Because the truck driver is so high off the ground and their visibility so limited, they might have no idea a pedestrian is in danger until it’s too late.
When these crashes happen, it’s important that the injured are able to pursue the damages they need to recover, especially if they were injured through no fault of their own. If you or someone you love has been injured and need help moving forward, our team is here to help. To discuss your case with an experienced Shreveport truck accident attorney from Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, don’t hesitate to send us an email or call (318) 221-1508 today.
