Why Tractor-Trailer Accidents Occur?

There are four primary risks that cause big trucks to have accidents which are not typically present with passenger cars.

The most obvious risk is that drivers of tractor-trailers and semis have more difficulty stopping the vehicle. This is probably the primary factor causing most accidents, particularly those in which another vehicle is rear-ended.

The second is what is commonly known as "jackknifing" where a large truck such as semi or an eighteen-wheeler comes to a sudden stop and load shifts. This sudden shift causes the trailer to swing forward and moves the rear sideways. Often, this can lead to the trailer actually flipping or rolling over. Based on the amount of freight being hauled, this can occur at speeds as low as five miles per hour. Certain trucks are more inclined than others to experience such an event. For example, those eighteen-wheelers carrying half-empty portable tanks are more than twice as likely to be involved in a jackknifing truck accident than a fully-loaded semi carrying freight.

The third major risk associated with tractor-trailer accidents are the difficulties that truck drivers have in maneuvering and turning these big rig trucks. It is often necessary for the driver of a semi to use more than one lane of traffic in making a right turn in order to avoid the rear wheels hitting parked vehicles or the sidewalk. Hurt, Crosbie and May attorneys have seen instances where these large trucks have had to swing wide to complete a right turn and have impacted unsuspecting passenger cars in the process.

Finally, the most preventable risk, but increasingly common is the incidence of fatigue and substance abuse on drivers of these eighteen-wheelers. The Federal Highway Administration's Driver Fatigue and Alertness Study underscored how fatigue exacerbates those risks associated with properly stopping the vehicle, avoiding a jackknife and correct turning. According to this study, the average truck driver gets about 4.8 hours of sleep. In contrast, it is generally understood that most individuals require 7.5 to 8 hours of quality sleep every day.

Further, the National Transportation Safety Board and the National Institute on Drug abuse conducted study that determined that out of 168 truck driver fatally injured in traffic accidents, one or more drugs were detected in 67% of these fatality accidents and 33% of these drivers had detectable blood concentrations of alcohol. When all of these contributing risks are considered, we are fortunate that there are not more fatal accidents on Kentucky highways.

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