In an effort to reduce large truck crashes in Illinois and across the U.S., the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) commissioned the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS). The study includes nationwide data from crashes involving large trucks between April 1, 2001 and December 31, 2003 and can be used to investigate the factors that cause and contribute to truck accidents.
The LTCCS identified 10 critical issues that contribute to the incidence of large truck crashes. The most common causes include:
- Truck driver fatigue
- Vehicle load and design
- Vehicle maintenance
- Driver experience
This study may go a long way in helping trucking companies, lawmakers and others to find the leading causes of large truck accidents and the best way to reduce them.
One reason for these types of studies is to improve the way in which data is collected and reported from large truck accidents to pinpoint the exact causes of accidents to implement better ways to reduce their occurrence. The study is not perfect, but may be a step in the right direction toward finding better ways to quantify and determine the major contributors to large truck crashes and help to find ways to improve the safety on our highways.
Large truck crashes are especially dangerous for motorists on the highway. These accidents can result in serious injury and even death. The injured motorist or their families may be entitled to compensation for the negligence of these commercial truck drivers. Even with all of the new laws and safety measures, human error can account for these disastrous accidents. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist an injured motorist in obtaining compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
