Tractor-trailer trucks play a very important role in the economy in Louisiana. They are designed to carry large loads of various products or equipment to various stores and other retailers. They also provide many jobs to the truck drivers who drive the trucks around the state.
However, they are also much larger than all the other vehicles on the roads. When they are involved in truck accidents, they can cause significant damage to the other vehicles involved in the crash.
There are also many ways that a truck accident can occur, but many of them are due to the actions or inactions of the truck drivers. According to a study that collected data over approximately two and a half years, over half of the crashes involving large trucks were caused by the truck driver or equipment issues with the truck.
Ways truck drivers cause truck accidents
There are four main categories of mistakes that truck drivers make, which cause accidents. Those categories are:
- Decision: This category includes driving too fast for the current road conditions, misjudging the speed of other vehicles on the road or driving too close to other vehicles. This was the category that caused the most accidents, which was approximately 38% of all truck accidents caused by the truck driver.
- Recognition: This includes being distracted by something inside or outside of the vehicle and being inattentive. This category accounted for 28% of the truck accidents caused by the truck driver.
- Nonperformance: This category includes fatigue or falling asleep while driving, being impaired by drugs or alcohol and it also includes having a medical emergency such as a seizure or heart attack. This resulted in 12% of the truck accidents.
- Performance: This includes overreacting to the situation or panicking and making a poor choice. This accounted for 9% of the accidents where the truck was at fault.
The remaining accidents where the truck was the reason for the accident were due to equipment problems with the truck itself or environmental issues.
Truck accidents in Louisiana usually leave the people in the cars and pickup trucks in a very difficult situation. Many will need extensive medical treatment to fully heal from their injuries and some will have permanent medical issues as a result.
If the truck driver was the reason for the accident, the victims may be able to receive compensation for the damages they suffer. This compensation can be very valuable even if it will not help the injuries heal. Consulting with experienced attorneys may be beneficial.