Due to their sheer size and weight, semi-trucks can cause a great deal of damage in a rollover crash. A single rollover can injure or even kill multiple drivers on the same road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) large truck causation study, roughly 30 percent of crashes involving large trucks are rollovers.
Annual state crash data from the NHTSA concludes that 137 traffic fatalities on Texas roads in 2018 involved large trucks. That's a four percent increase from 131 in 2017. The report doesn't specify which type of truck crashes were involved, but rollovers are a leading cause of traffic fatalities in Texas.
Which factors lead to truck rollovers?
Human error causes the majority of truck rollover. This includes:
- Drowsy driving — Truck drivers are more susceptible to drowsy driving than most other drivers. This is often due to the amount of time they spend on the road.
- Distracted driving — While many truck drivers maintain their focus on the road, some get distracted by phones, paperwork, and other tasks that have nothing to do with driving.
- Speeding — Truck drivers who exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for conditions are more likely to cause rollovers when navigating curves, turns, and slippery road conditions.
- Over-steering — Rollovers can be caused when a driver swerves abruptly or over-steers in an attempt to regain control of a truck.
- Improper loading of cargo — When cargo isn't loaded evenly, it can place weight on one side of the trailer or move to the other side when a driver is navigating a curve. This can significantly increase the likelihood of a rollover.
- Mechanical issues: Failed breaks and tire blowouts can cause trucks to careen out of control. These types of mechanical failures can be prevented when fleet owners get their trucks properly inspected and fixed.
What should I do if I was injured in a rollover truck crash?
If you were involved in a crash with a truck that rolled over, you likely sustained serious injuries, including:
- Back, neck, and spinal injuries
- A traumatic brain injury
- Internal damage to the organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and spleen
- Nerve damage
- Amputated or crushed limbs
- Severe soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations and abrasions
- Paralysis
- Mental trauma
If you are fortunate enough to walk away from a rollover truck crash with only minor injuries, then consider yourself lucky. You should still seek prompt medical attention, however.
Large trucks can do a lot of damage and are a large liability to others on the road. So, you'd think truck drivers would take extra measures to prevent crashes. The same goes for the companies they work for. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
That's why East Texas truck accident attorney Jeff Weinstein has spent more than 20 years fighting to hold reckless truck drivers accountable for the injuries and deaths they cause. Attorney Weinstein also employs a winning legal strategy to help injured motorists maximize their compensation. He doesn't want them to have to pay medical expenses and other damages out of their own pocket.
Contact Weinstein Law online or call our Athens office at 903-677-5333 to learn more.