Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in New York

If you live in New York, you’re probably well aware of the dangers of truck accidents. There are over 50,000 crashes involving commercial trucks annually in the United States alone, and every year some 4,000 people die due to these terrible events. You may have even heard or read frightening stories in the news about some of the worst accidents. Here are the most common types of truck accidents in New York.

1. Speeding

Perhaps the most common cause of truck accidents, speeding simply is not safe. Many drivers assume that they can safely drive much faster than the posted speed limit and often don’t take time to judge their speed. Speeding trucks are more prone to an accident because the driver cannot stop in time to avoid a collision.

2. Lane Swerving

Another common cause of truck accidents is when drivers swerve their trucks into other lanes while in motion. This can be attributed to many things, like a driver’s failure to understand how much space it takes for the truck to turn or simply because they are distracted by something else. Whatever the cause, these types of accidents can be extremely dangerous.

3. Tailgating

Tailgating is a common occurrence that can lead to fatal crashes in New York and across the country. Drivers cannot see what is ahead of them and sometimes speed up to get around other cars and trucks. Tailgating can lead to catastrophic accidents because the truck driver never sees the car tailgating them and cannot avoid colliding with it.

4. Crash Causing Errors

People make all sorts of mistakes while driving, resulting in a truck accident. These errors can be caused by weather conditions, poorly maintained vehicles, or poorly maintained roads. However, in the event of a truck accident, there is a higher risk of these types of errors occurring. The New York truck accident attorney can explain your options after a truck accident and how to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

5. Crossing Overs

Trucks are often used to transport large amounts of cargo when they need to be moved quickly. When this happens in motion, trucks are more prone to getting in an accident with other trucks and cars on the road and causing the accident to continue for hours after it stops. This can result in even more casualties, putting many people at risk of serious injury and death.

6. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is another common cause of truck accidents. This can be caused by people talking, daydreaming, or even texting on their cell phones while driving, resulting in a dangerous crash.

7. Breakdowns

A driver who breaks down in the middle of the road and must wait for emergency personnel to arrive can lead to avoidable accidents that turn fatal.

8. Highway Diversions

In the event of a serious accident, highways are often closed for hours or even days. This can cause a truck to be delayed significantly, leading to an accident that would have been prevented if the truck had been moved before closure.

9. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is discussed considerably above, another common cause of fatal truck accidents in New York.

The roadways of New York are congested because of the many truckers who use the roads. However, with so many truck accidents occurring across the state yearly, there is a need for busy highways to be kept as safe as possible.