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Top Ten Causes of Truck Accidents

When a truck and car collide, the outcome is generally catastrophic. In 2008, there were 4,594 injuries caused by large truck accidents in California. Nationally, there were 73,047 injuries. These alarming statistics have left many people wondering what factors are causing these truck collisions.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), conducted extensive research into the causes of truck accidents across the nation. The study examined a sample of 963 truck accidents, which resulted in 249 deaths and 1,654 injuries. These accidents occurred from April 2001 through December 2003. During that time, a total of 120,000 truck crashes took place nationally.

Researchers, who were involved in this national study, went out to each crash site with a state truck inspector to collect data. They gathered their information from interviews with drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Inspectors reviewed the drivers’ logbooks and other documents, as well as completed truck inspections.

So, what did researchers and inspectors discover? According to the study, there were hundreds of factors involved in each truck accident. However, researchers were able to put together a top ten list of the causes of truck crashes, which include:

• Brake problems
• Traffic interruption
• Use of prescription drug
• Traveling too fast for conditions
• Roadway unfamiliarity
• Road problems
• Required traffic stop (crosswalk, stop light)
• Use of non-prescription drug
• Inadequate surveillance
• Fatigue

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County or other area in California, you should contact an experienced Southern California truck accident attorney at Steinberg & Spencer today at 1-800-350-8888. You may be able to hold the trucker or trucking company accountable for your injuries and could be entitled to compensation.

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