There are nearly 150,000 accidents involving large “big rig” trucks every year. Since Indiana is considered the center of the traffic patterns in the country it has more than its share of the truck accidents. Additionally, almost 10% of all automobile accident fatalities involved one of these large trucks—typically en route to making a delivery. Why do these accidents occur? While the answer might seem obvious (i.e., reckless driving, the enormous weight of these trucks versus the size and weight of passenger cars), semi-truck accident lawyers in Indiana say there are many other factors that contribute to the large number of these accidents.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a truck accident, contact our Indiana truck accident lawyer now!
Legal Drugs
Nearly one-half (44%) of all collisions involving big rig trucks occurred when the driver was taking a legal prescription or over-the-counter drug. This is because most large trucks travelling in or through Indiana are making deliveries a long distance away from their intended destination. Indiana semi-truck accident lawyers say that instead of taking the time they need to rest, many truck drivers take some type of legal medication. However, these can have various side effects, especially drowsiness. In fact, a recent survey revealed that 250,000 Americans drive while drowsy every year. This contributes directly to 60,000 serious injuries and 8,000 deaths annually.
Making a Delivery
Over 75% of large semi-trucks get into accidents while making a delivery. This is borne out by the statistics. For instance, 23% of accidents occur when the truck is moving too fast. Additionally, 22% of accidents take place because the driver has to go through unfamiliar terrain. In many of these cases, semi-truck accident lawyers in Indiana point out that the driver was relying upon a computer or GPS program to get to his destination; taking his eyes off the road contributed to the accident. While many Indiana semi-truck accident lawyers argue that these devices contribute to accidents, trucking industry officials counter that these programs help the drivers to get to their intended destinations. Furthermore, when a driver is unfamiliar with the area, he is more likely to be prone to outside distractions—these account for 8% of all trucking accidents.
When Passenger Car Drivers Are at Fault
Even though truck drivers are at fault in most accidents, passenger cars also contribute. This is because many drivers of smaller cars simply do not know how to drive around these large trucks. They do not realize, for instance, that these trucks take wide turns, or that truck drivers have less visibility than do other cars. Additionally, some car drivers try to quickly maneuver away from large trucks too hastily. This might include hasty lane changes in front of a truck, misjudging an approaching truck’s speed at an intersection, merging into traffic at too slow a speed so that a truck is forced to slow down, being blown out of position by air turbulence after passing a truck, or driving between two trucks. Should an accident occur in such cases, the car driver will likely be at fault. Even if that is a case, it is nonetheless imperative that he consult a Indiana semi-truck accident lawyer so that he will know his legal rights, and not be abused when it comes to negotiating a settlement.
How a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Indiana Can Help
If someone has been involved in an accident involving a large truck, they should contact a Indiana semi-truck accident lawyer right away. These attorneys serve valuable tasks, including determining who is at fault, helping the victim to sort through a myriad of legal issues, and providing assurance that they will recover from such a traumatic experience. A semi-truck accident lawyer in Indiana will help his client with all of these issues, and to ensure that they receive fair compensation.