Truck Accidents Are Serious And Common

Common Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are all too common. As you may know, the mass and speed of a commercial truck tend to make injuries in these types of accidents more severe.

What is a truck accident and how can you avoid one?

A truck accident is a collision involving a truck and another vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist. Trucks are large and heavy vehicles, so truck accidents can be particularly serious and often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

Here are some tips to help you avoid truck accidents:

• Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to traffic around you, especially when you are near trucks.
• Give trucks plenty of space. Trucks need more space to stop and turn than other vehicles.
• Don't cut off trucks. Trucks have large blind spots, so it's important to avoid cutting them off.
• Be careful when passing trucks. Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the truck when passing.
• Be aware of the risks of tailgating. Trucks can create a lot of spray when they drive, so it's important to stay back from them.
• Don't drive in the truck's blind spots. Trucks have large blind spots on both sides and behind them. Avoid driving in these areas, if possible.

If you are involved in a truck accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, even if you don't feel injured. Truck accidents can cause serious injuries that may not be immediately apparent. You should also contact the police to file a report.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. It is important to contact an experienced truck accident attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.

Here are some additional tips for readers:

• Be especially cautious when driving around trucks at night. Trucks are more difficult to see at night, so it is important to be extra vigilant.
• If you are driving a smaller vehicle, avoid driving next to trucks on the highway. This will help reduce your risk of being involved in an underride collision.
• Be aware of the dangers of truck fatigue. Truck drivers often work long hours, which can lead to fatigue. If you see a truck driver driving erratically, report it to the police.

By following these tips, you can help reduce your risk of being involved in a truck accident.

Truck Accident Stats

Here are some truck accident statistics in Oregon:

• In 2021, there were 2,431 truck accidents in Oregon, resulting in 59 fatalities and 1,004 of the accidents at least producing injuries. This is a combination of trucks, Semi-truck and trailer, and other truck configurations.
• The most common type of truck accident in Oregon is a rear-end collision.
• The most common causes of truck accidents in Oregon are driver negligence, vehicle maintenance, road conditions, and cargo loading.
• The most dangerous month for truck accidents is September.

Truck Accident Statistics Sources:

• Oregon Department of Transportation, "Crash Data and Analysis"
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "Fatality Analysis Reporting System"
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Large Trucks: Overview"

Additional information:

• According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, truck accidents are more likely to result in fatalities and serious injuries than other types of traffic accidents.
• Truck drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents than other drivers, due to factors such as long hours, fatigue, and the size and weight of their vehicles.
• Truck accidents can be particularly devastating for pedestrians and bicyclists, who are less protected from the impact of a large vehicle.

The National Safety Council provides some useful stats on large truck accidents. The NSC defines large trucks as any medium or heavy truck, not including buses and motor homes, with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds. Both commercial and non-commercial vehicles are included.

For example, in 2020, 4,842 large trucks were part of a fatal accident. Year over year this is a 4% decrease. However, the number of trucks in fatal accidents is still up over 30% since 2011. This pattern is similar when you look at the involvement rate of trucks in fatal accidents per 100 million miles traveled.

Common causes for truck accidents

Numerous reasons for these truck accidents can be found. Negligence, bad equipment, bad practices, and risky conditions due to weather are some of the reasons these crashes occur. When you seek out a truck accident attorney, you'll want one with experience, one who knows that fault should be established early.

Common causes for truck accidents:

• Faulty Equipment
• Distracted driving
• Fatigued driving
• Bad weather conditions
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Speeding or otherwise recklessly driving
• Improper or lack of training

Truck Accidents Lawyers and Insurance

As with any accident, it's important to get representation as soon as possible. Other parties in your case, like the driver's insurance company, will be working from the start to deny you fair compensation for your injuries. Time is money, and they know it. You need a truck accident attorney who knows it, too. Johnson Law knows this, and we move quickly to help you set things right after a truck accident.

Perhaps a wider conversation about safety, traffic patterns, and commercial activity needs to be had. But that won't be of immediate help to someone suffering because of an accident. If you are such a person, the trouble is neither abstract nor theoretical. You need concrete help now.

More Info On Truck Accidents

We want everyone to fully recover from truck accidents and get the compensation they're rightfully owed. So you can call us for a free case review on your truck accident. Alternatively, if you're looking for more general truck accident info, here are three reputable sources on truck accidents in the United States:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): The NHTSA is a federal agency responsible for collecting and analyzing data on traffic safety. The NHTSA website includes a wealth of information on truck accidents, including statistics, causes, and safety tips.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): The FMCSA is another federal agency responsible for regulating the trucking industry. The FMCSA website includes information on truck accident regulations, safety programs, and enforcement actions.
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS): The IIHS is a non-profit research organization (funded mostly by insurance companies) that conducts research on traffic safety. The IIHS website includes a variety of resources on truck accidents, including research reports, safety ratings, and tips for drivers and trucking companies.

In addition to these sources, you may also want to consult with a reputable truck accident attorney to discuss your specific case.

Truck Accidents Can Affect Anyone

Truck accidents can impact anyone, from an average Joe to even former Portland Trail Blazer Evan Turner. You want an attorney who will fight for you, no matter who you are. If you're looking for a Portland truck accident attorney, consider Johnson Law. We advocate for fairness and justice in truck accidents for people like you, and we've done it for a long time.

There's no risk in a free consultation. And who knows? You might find the advocate and partner you really need. Don't let the pain and misfortune of an accident define you. Call today!