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18 Wheeler Accidents

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Thousands of people are injured or killed in large truck accidents each year.  Large Trucks are classified as vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds or 5 tons.  This includes, but is not necessarily limited to 18 wheelers, semis and tractor-trailers.

Because of their shear size, weight and the amount of time on the road, 18 wheelers and other large trucks contribute to the occurrence and the ultimate consequences of many motor vehicle accidents. According to the NHTSA 2004 Traffic Safety Facts – Large Trucks Report, 416,000 large trucks were involved in traffic accidents in the United States. Of those, 4,862 18-wheelers and large trucks were involved in crashes that involved 5,190 fatalities and 116,000 injuries.

What are some of the causes of 18 wheeler accidents?

·         Truck Driver Fatigue

• Mechanical failure, such as bad brakes or turn signal failure
• Speeding and ignoring reduced truck speed limit. 
• Tailgating
• Jackknifing
• Failure to inspect tires, brakes and lights

A common cause for accidents involving 18 wheelers is truck-driver fatigue. Fatigue, itself, is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy and is especially dangerous when performing tasks that require constant concentration, such as driving a vehicle.  Long work shifts and unrealistic schedules often contribute to truck driver fatigue. To address a recognized issue with sharing the road with commercial vehicles, the U.S. Department of Transportation now governs work hours and other working conditions of truck drivers engaged in interstate commerce.  Limitations have been set such that, a long-distance driver may drive for 11 hours and work for up to 14 hours—including driving and non-driving duties—after having 10 hours off-duty.