Between 2003 and 2007, 192,069 fatal car crashes happened in the United States. However, commercial trucks are involved in a major number of these accidents as well and typically cause even more damage and destruction. If you or someone you know has recently suffered from a car accident injury in which a commercial truck was involved, it’s important to know the facts. Here are just a few common myths about commercial trucking accidents that all drivers should stop believing.
Truck drivers are less likely to cause an auto accident than other drivers.
This is one of the biggest myths about trucking accidents. Any commercial trucking accident attorney can tell you that truck drivers are just as likely to cause accidents on the road as drivers of other vehicles. In fact, the training required to obtain a commercial driver’s license isn’t nearly as thorough as many people assume it to be. That, combined with a number of other risk factors, including driving while under the influence of alcohol, distracted driving, and failing to obey traffic laws, make truck drivers just as likely to cause an accident.
Trucker fatigue is not a main cause of commercial trucking accidents.
This myth is absolutely misinformed. Trucker fatigue is in fact the seventh leading cause of trucking accidents in the U.S., contributing to about 13% of all trucking accidents each year. Trucker fatigue occurs when truckers drive too long without stopping to take care of their basic needs. It’s much more common than many drivers think. When it comes down to it, whether you’re driving a truck, a car, or any other vehicle, staying awake and alert is a life or death responsibility.
Commercial trucking accidents are just as dangerous to the truck driver as they are to car drivers.
Finally, this is another major misconception that needs to be addressed. In reality, about three-quarters of commercial trucking accidents end up injuring the occupants of the passengers vehicle as opposed to the trucker. Experts say that trucking accidents are approximately 10 times more deadly for passenger vehicles as well.
Ultimately, being aware of these majorly misinformed myths can help you to make the best decisions regarding your specific case. Above all, keep in mind that it’s always best to contact a commercial trucking accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident occurs to help you get the settlement you deserve.
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