St. Louis Truck Accidents Are Fatal: What Are the Common Causes
Accidents of any kind are never pleasant. Other than physical injuries, an accident results in financial losses, property damage, and emotional turmoil. In Missouri, truck accidents occur less frequently compared to the state’s car crashes. However, commercial tractor-trailer collisions are far more dangerous than one can imagine.
The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that in 2022, fatalities from truck accidents accounted for 15% of all traffic-related deaths in the state. Even the streets of St. Louis, a city in Missouri, encounter several truck accidents as it is a standard vehicle for transporting goods. The heavy weight and massive size of the car can pose risks and result in crashes that cause people to get injured or even lose their lives.
The fatal truck crashes happening in St. Louis often leave us with one question: what are the causes of such accidents?
In this article, we will explore the causes that could significantly contribute to reducing accidents to a certain degree.
Frequent Factors Leading to Truck Collisions in St. Louis
Knowing the cause of a truck accident is essential when you decide to seek legal compensation for it. To ensure you get the legal formalities correct, contact a St. Louis truck accident lawyer who will provide you with the necessary guidance and support.
The primary causes include
Driver Fatigue
According to the United States Department of Transportation, truck drivers are supposed to be on duty for 11 hours. Over a week, they can drive for a maximum of 77 hours on the road. Also, working over 8 hours daily can become challenging for most truck drivers.
Therefore, if a truck driver is tired and loses precise control of the vehicle, even momentarily, the likelihood of an accident escalates, potentially resulting in deadly outcomes that could endanger pedestrians and drivers. Recent data shows that nearly 13% of truck accidents occur because of driver fatigue.
Speeding
In St. Louis, speeding frequently stands as a primary factor behind the majority of truck collisions. Commercial trucks that are heavier compared to most vehicles surpass the speed limits. Therefore, the likelihood and severity of accidents increase. Speeding can halt the driver’s capacity to respond to specific changes in traffic conditions. It also increases the braking distance needed to stop the truck and amplifies the impact force in a collision.
The hefty weight and massive size of trucks pose a challenge to managing them at high speeds. It is usually around the curves or when the road conditions aren’t optimal. Additionally, speeding also adversely impacts the driver’s capacity to assess distances and make fast decisions, which can increase the risk of crashes.
Issues Related to Brakes
The semi-trucks have several moving parts. Therefore, if any part is not working well, it can affect the entire vehicle’s function. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association) states that 29% of crashes happen because of malfunctioning truck brakes.
Even when a truck travels at a minimal highway speed of nearly 40 MPH, and the brakes aren’t working correctly, it will either overturn or collide with something.
Drug Intoxication or Alcohol Use
There are times when truck drivers are on duty under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It causes their motor and cognitive skills to become impaired. It can result in poor judgment, reduced reaction times, and a higher chance of accidents.
The after-effects of drug or alcohol intoxication are extreme when a driver is operating a commercial truck. The driver poses ample risk to others and themselves on the road. Apart from property damage, it can hit other vehicles and pedestrians. At times, it can also affect other structures on the road, such as a light post or even an electric transformer, which can create havoc.
Once you encounter a truck accident, you must seek the required medical and legal assistance. TorHoerman Law states that a lawyer is the one who can let you know if you qualify for a truck accident lawsuit based on the incident. You need to share every piece of evidence with them so they can assess it and let you know the approximate settlement payout you are entitled to receive to cover the damages you’ve endured.
Finally, St. Louis is infamous for truck crashes that cause injuries to both the driver and victims. Truck drivers must ensure that they are in a clear mind during duty hours so that the chances of a crash are less. Apart from that, they should know the causes of the crashes and try to implement safe driving practices to ensure they do their part in keeping the street and pedestrians secure from fatal crashes.
Accidents of any kind are never pleasant. Other than physical injuries, an accident results in financial losses, property damage, and emotional turmoil. In Missouri, truck accidents occur less frequently compared to the state’s car crashes. However, commercial tractor-trailer collisions are far more dangerous than one can imagine.
The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that in 2022, fatalities from truck accidents accounted for 15% of all traffic-related deaths in the state. Even the streets of St. Louis, a city in Missouri, encounter several truck accidents as it is a standard vehicle for transporting goods. The heavy weight and massive size of the car can pose risks and result in crashes that cause people to get injured or even lose their lives.
The fatal truck crashes happening in St. Louis often leave us with one question: what are the causes of such accidents?
In this article, we will explore the causes that could significantly contribute to reducing accidents to a certain degree.
Frequent Factors Leading to Truck Collisions in St. Louis
Knowing the cause of a truck accident is essential when you decide to seek legal compensation for it. To ensure you get the legal formalities correct, contact a St. Louis truck accident lawyer who will provide you with the necessary guidance and support.
The primary causes include
Driver Fatigue
According to the United States Department of Transportation, truck drivers are supposed to be on duty for 11 hours. Over a week, they can drive for a maximum of 77 hours on the road. Also, working over 8 hours daily can become challenging for most truck drivers.
Therefore, if a truck driver is tired and loses precise control of the vehicle, even momentarily, the likelihood of an accident escalates, potentially resulting in deadly outcomes that could endanger pedestrians and drivers. Recent data shows that nearly 13% of truck accidents occur because of driver fatigue.
Speeding
In St. Louis, speeding frequently stands as a primary factor behind the majority of truck collisions. Commercial trucks that are heavier compared to most vehicles surpass the speed limits. Therefore, the likelihood and severity of accidents increase. Speeding can halt the driver’s capacity to respond to specific changes in traffic conditions. It also increases the braking distance needed to stop the truck and amplifies the impact force in a collision.
The hefty weight and massive size of trucks pose a challenge to managing them at high speeds. It is usually around the curves or when the road conditions aren’t optimal. Additionally, speeding also adversely impacts the driver’s capacity to assess distances and make fast decisions, which can increase the risk of crashes.
Issues Related to Brakes
The semi-trucks have several moving parts. Therefore, if any part is not working well, it can affect the entire vehicle’s function. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association) states that 29% of crashes happen because of malfunctioning truck brakes.
Even when a truck travels at a minimal highway speed of nearly 40 MPH, and the brakes aren’t working correctly, it will either overturn or collide with something.
Drug Intoxication or Alcohol Use
There are times when truck drivers are on duty under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It causes their motor and cognitive skills to become impaired. It can result in poor judgment, reduced reaction times, and a higher chance of accidents.
The after-effects of drug or alcohol intoxication are extreme when a driver is operating a commercial truck. The driver poses ample risk to others and themselves on the road. Apart from property damage, it can hit other vehicles and pedestrians. At times, it can also affect other structures on the road, such as a light post or even an electric transformer, which can create havoc.
Once you encounter a truck accident, you must seek the required medical and legal assistance. TorHoerman Law states that a lawyer is the one who can let you know if you qualify for a truck accident lawsuit based on the incident. You need to share every piece of evidence with them so they can assess it and let you know the approximate settlement payout you are entitled to receive to cover the damages you’ve endured.
Finally, St. Louis is infamous for truck crashes that cause injuries to both the driver and victims. Truck drivers must ensure that they are in a clear mind during duty hours so that the chances of a crash are less. Apart from that, they should know the causes of the crashes and try to implement safe driving practices to ensure they do their part in keeping the street and pedestrians secure from fatal crashes.