Professional truck drivers understand the importance of driving safely and responsibly on West Virginia roads and others throughout the country. However, large truck accidents do happen, and according to one study, large truck drivers were likely to blame in 44% of such crashes. The Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) found that there were three factors that caused most collisions involving commercial vehicles. One of the main causes were brake problems with the trucks themselves.
Poor brakes were cited as the cause of 29% of accidents analyzed as part of the LTCCS. Excessive speed was the cause of 23% of crashes that were reviewed as part of the 2007 study. Researchers say that drivers who are driving on wet roads should reduce their speed by a third on wet roads and by up to half on a snowy highway. It should be noted that driving at a high rate of speed can be especially dangerous when a truck cannot brake properly.
Drivers who weren’t aware of where they were accounted for 22% of wrecks reviewed for the LTCCS. Those who are operating a commercial vehicle are urged to plan their routes ahead of time as opposed to simply hoping that they find their way eventually. Those who didn’t know where they were going were 100% more likely to be at risk for an accident.
If a negligent truck driver causes an accident, that person may be liable for any damages incurred by an injured victim. Negligent acts may include driving while distracted or too fast for road conditions. These damages may include medical bills, lost earnings and the cost of replacing a car or other property destroyed in an accident. Legal counsel might assist an individual in pursuing compensation either in court or through a settlement.