Crashes caused by semi trucks are all too common in the U.S. with some 500,000 occurring annually. These incidents often result in truck accident lawsuits, serious injuries and death.

Why are crashes caused by semi trucks so dangerous?

Wrecks caused by semi trucks are significantly more dangerous for those in passenger vehicles than those in the truck.

Approximately 11% of all traffic crash deaths in the U.S. are caused by semi trucks. In 2017, of those killed in a crash involving one passenger vehicle and one semi truck, 97% of those killed were in the passenger vehicles. It is far more likely for passenger vehicles or pedestrians to be injured or killed in a crash. Indeed, large trucks are defined as having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000 pounds.

A number of factors make semi truck collisions particularly dangerous. These vehicles can easily weigh 40 tons, while the average car is about 2.5 tons. And because of large trucks’ size and weight, it is much more difficult to maneuver and stop them. The deadliest type of crash is a rollover, in which the truck is overturned.

Most truck collisions occur in rural areas and on highways. With approximately 15.5 million large trucks registered in the U.S. — 2 million of those are tractor-trailers — it means there are always a sizable number of large trucks on the road at any given time.

Truck crashes are much more common than one might assume. In 2017, there were 4,237 large trucks involved in fatal crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database, 2017 saw a total of 34,247 fatal crashes across all types of motor vehicle wrecks in the U.S., with another 344,000 involving non-fatal injuries. Annually, about 100,000 of these are serious injuries.

Over the last decade, the number of large truck collisions has increased substantially—by about 13% since 2010. In 2016, there were 12 fatal large truck crashes per one million people in the U.S.

What causes a semi truck crash?

There are obviously a variety of factors that may lead to a truck collision. For instance, bad weather, such as snowy or icy conditions, can raise motorists’ collision risks. Human error, such as careless or reckless driving also plays a role.

Some common causes of semi-truck crashes include:

• Driver fatigue
• Improper vehicle maintenance
• Distracted driving
• Driver inexperience or lack of training
• Improper loading
• Alcohol or drug use
• High speeds
• Violation of trucking laws and regulations

However, approximately 70% of semi truck wrecks take place in ideal weather conditions and are not caused by drunk driving. Instead, many of these dangerous crashes may happen due to blind spots in the trucks’ side and rear view mirrors, mechanical issues or equipment failure related to the truck rather than the driver.

No matter what causes a semi truck collision, victims may be able to speak with an experienced attorney about their legal rights and potentially pursue compensation. In many cases, truck drivers and their companies can be held liable for negligence or recklessness that results in accidents, injuries, and death.

What is being done about semi truck wrecks?

Lawmakers have tried to contend with the high stakes of a semi truck collision. Recently, a bill was passed by a House committee that would more than double the amount of insurance that commercial motor vehicles will be required to carry. To become a law, the bill would need to be passed in both the House and the Senate.

Fox Business explains that the bill would represent an amendment to the INVEST Act, and was introduced by Illinois Democratic Representative Jesús “Chuy” García. The proposed change would require commercial vehicles to have $2 million in insurance as opposed to the current $750,000.

The Institute for Safer Trucking has expressed approval of the proposed change, saying that “this amendment will help families who have survived truck crashes and help make the trucking industry safer.” According to Safer Trucking, the minimum requirement for insurance has not been raised since the 1980s, despite inflation.

The organization argued that the move would better help families deal with medical care costs, funeral service costs, lost wages, and other devastating expenses that can result after a devastating truck crash.

Critics worry about the potential economic strain that this rise in insurance costs would put on companies. However, the industry has previously faced pressure over insurance and costs after truck accidents. This leads some to believe that higher insurance would help companies and drivers shoulder the cost of potential lawsuits that might be filed after crashes caused by semi trucks do occur.

Can I file a semi truck collision lawsuit?

There are a few factors that help determine how much compensation a semi truck collision lawsuit can provide. The first is liability. Though liability is determined differently from state to state, this essentially means that the less fault that is attributed to the injured party, the more compensation.

A jury will decide how much fault to attribute to the truck driver and their employer; some states require the defendant to be more than 50% liable for the plaintiff to recover at all. Another factor to take into account is, of course, the severity of the injuries suffered.

Semi truck collision lawsuits can be filed against the truck driver, insurance company, and trucking company for the plaintiff to ensure they receive the compensation they are due for their injuries.

Many injured victims of semi truck collisions have filed lawsuits against the drivers, trucking companies, or manufacturers of the vehicles. In cases where a victim was killed due to the crash, their family may qualify to file a wrongful death suit.

In September 2020, the families of two young people who were killed in a semi truck crash filed a lawsuit against the trucking company that employed the driver. According to the plaintiffs, the driver of the semi was driving at least 10 miles over the speed limit when the semi collided with the passenger vehicle containing the victims and slammed it into a guardrail.

The father of one of the deceased victims spoke with News 4 JAX, a Jacksonville, Fla. news station about the lawsuit, stating, “I never want to see this happen to anyone else again. It was senseless, and it never needs to happen again.”

If you or someone you love has suffered from an collision caused by semi trucks, you may be able to file a class action lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a semi truck wreck, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more. Litigation can also help those responsible for a semi truck collisions accountable for their negligence.

In many cases, truck crash settlements can amount to awards of hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

Pursuing litigation can be overwhelming and intimidating, but Top Class Actions has done some of the work by connecting you with an experienced truck accident lawyer. A truck accident lawyer can help you determine whether or not you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your compensation.