Truck spills always seem to make the evening news, especially when they involve a “unique” item.
Recently, a tractor-trailer spilled a load of boxed cake mix on I-79. Another spilled a load of corn onto the Virginia highway next door. While these types of accidents create a mess and delay traffic during the cleaning, they don’t have a lasting impact. That can’t be said for all truck spills.
As reported by FreightWaves, a trucking company and driver have been slapped with a $1.6 million fine after a crash on I-77 at the Skitter Creek Bridge. That accident spilled detergent chemicals into Paint Creek, killing several species of fish. That is just one of many accidents involving dangerous truck spills that harm the surrounding environment.
Alarming Truck Accident Statistics
Commercial trucks travel thousands of miles each day, with the vast majority of those trips occurring without incident. When truck accidents do occur, they can have a devastating effect on all those involved. Consider these statistics from a single year of the most recent data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- Truck Accident Fatalities – 5,472
- Truck Accident Injuries to occupants of other vehicles – 107,636
Additionally, the NHTSA found that 76% of fatal crashes involving large trucks in 2023 occurred on weekdays between 6:00 a.m. and 5:59 p.m.
Here in West Virginia, about 10.9 percent of fatal traffic crashes involve large trucks, compared with the nationwide average of 9.3 percent. That breaks down to roughly 384 fatal truck crashes in a single year.
What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents happen for a lot of the same reasons that car accidents happen. However, when an 80,000-pound truck is involved, a single “tap” can force a car to spin out and trigger a chain reaction of other crashes. What makes matters worse is when a truck carries a cargo that spills on the road. Too often, these spills are with flammable materials that ignite, causing even more devastation.
Here are some of the common causes of truck accident spills:
Distracted Driving
Truck drivers are not immune to distractions. It takes a lot to keep an 18-wheeler under control. If a truck driver is eating, drinking, smoking, texting, or constantly adjusting controls, it increases the chances of their eyes being taken off the road, and that can spell disaster.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers are allowed to drive up to 11 hours in a single shift and only have to take one half-hour break during that time. If they feel the pressure to make a delivery, they will push the limits of the regulated driving time. That can lead to driver fatigue, which impairs judgment and reaction time.
Speeding
It takes a truck around 40% longer than a car to come to a complete stop. If there is anything in the way of that truck while it is slowing down, it’s going to be crushed. This is compounded when the truck driver is speeding.
Incorrect Cargo Loading
A truck’s cargo can weigh several tons. If that load isn’t secured properly, it can shift during transit. That will make it harder for a truck driver to control the vehicle when going around sharp turns or steep declines.
What Can You Do to Avoid a Truck Accident?
When you encounter a commercial vehicle on the road, the first thing you have to be aware of is its blind spot. Those zones are 30ft directly behind the truck and 20ft ahead, along with the lanes immediately to either side of the truck.
You also want to stay focused and avoid your own distractions. Most importantly, you want to always give a truck driver a wide berth.
If you do find yourself as the unfortunate victim of a truck accident, you’ll soon discover these claims can become complicated because of all the potential liable parties. Not only can the trucker be held responsible, but also the trucking company, the mechanics, and the cargo loading crews.
That is why you might need to align with a strong Charleston truck accident attorney like you’ll find at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC.
Our lawyers and investigators have helped many victims of truck accidents get the maximum compensation they are entitled to. Don’t let an insurance company steamroll you. Schedule a free case review today to discuss all your available options.
