The trucking industry is the lifeline of the US economy. Nearly every product consumed in the country has been on a truck at some stage. The trucking industry carried 11.84 billion tons of cargo, amounting to 72.5% of all freight moved in the United States in 2019.

According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), trucking was a $791.7 billion industry in 2019. The trucking industry provided employment to 3.6 million truck drivers in 2019, an increase of 1.7% from the previous year.

Trucking Accidents in California

With trucks and trailer-trucks logging more than 300 billion miles on the country's roads in 2019, it is no surprise to note that truck-related accidents are common. Truck accidents can result in more serious injuries than accidents involving other automobiles. Occupants of a small vehicle are prone to serious injuries in a collision with a loaded truck as it gains more momentum.

California's highways are responsible for a considerable number of truck accidents every year, with both I-5 and I-10 contributing more than a thousand truck-related accidents each. California has seen more than 250 fatalities in truck accidents each year on average, over the last decade.

Common Reasons Behind the High Number of Truck-Related Accidents

Big commercial trucks are the cause of some devastating accidents on the country's highways. Nearly five hundred thousand truck-related accidents result in about 5,000 fatalities each year. Here are some of the most common reasons for truck accidents.

1. Fatigue: Truck drivers usually work under the pressure of delivery deadlines. This results in them driving for long durations without much rest. The accumulated loss of sleep and rest results in loss of coordination and concentration and leads to accidents.
2. DUI: While some truck drivers imbibe alcohol and other substances at stops, others may carry them while driving. This leads to impaired driving and many accidents. Even some of the prescription drugs used by the drivers, impair their judgment behind the wheels, causing accidents.
3. Poor Driver Training and Poor Truck Maintenance: Not all truck drivers follow the training guidelines and minimum requirements that allow them to drive commercial trucks. This poor training shows in the lack of experience behind the wheels. Similarly, truck owners and companies cut corners on maintenance guidelines and standards, to save money and time. The results of poorly trained drivers behind the wheels of poorly maintained trucks can be catastrophic. 
4. Speeding: The pressure of strict and unreasonable delivery schedules that may worsen with inclement weather or traffic snarl-ups, leads to truckers driving at breakneck speeds. This usually puts the smaller vehicles at very high risk.
5. Distracted Driving: The boredom of traveling alone over long distances for days on end leads to drivers using their cellphones to text, talk, or surf the social media sites, while driving. Changing the radio station while driving is also a leading cause of distraction to the truckers that leads to crashes. 

Talk to An Experienced California Truck Accident Attorney

If you are a victim of an accident caused by another driver, you can file a personal injury claim to seek damages for your injuries. Get in touch with a skilled Southern California truck accident attorney, as soon as you can. A personal injury attorney competent in handling truck accidents can help you with your compensation claim.

The attorneys at the Kann California Law Group have years of experience with vehicle accident claims and are proficient at handling claims against trucking companies. We can discuss your situation during a free case consultation. Contact us online or give us a call at 888-744-7730 today!