It can be intimidating sharing the road with trucks, especially large tractor trailers that seem to take up the entire road and loom over the traffic around them. It's understandable that people might be nervous driving near big rigs, since crashes involving trucks are often deadly. And unfortunately, they're not uncommon. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that in 2009, there were almost 296,000 crashes with large trucks throughout the country.

In trucking accidents, those in smaller passenger vehicles usually face the highest risk of being hurt or killed, according to NationalOwnerOperatorJobs.com. This is because trucks can weigh as much as 30 times more than most of the other cars sharing the road with them. And the cost of a fatal truck accident is high: at least $3 million that victims must shoulder for medical and funeral expenses.

Common reasons for trucking crashes

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration cites many common factors in truck accidents:-Truck driver experience and training-Negligence, distraction or fatigue-Driving while intoxicated-Road conditions-Other vehicles on the road

In addition to the above, brake failure and other vehicle defects are major causes for truck accidents. In fact, the FMCSA spends over $100 million a year to inspect trucks and keep them safe to drive.

It would also seem that driver inattention combined with the size of the truck or the load it's carrying would be a safety hazard. A truck carrying an oversize load recently hit a bridge girder while crossing the bridge over the Skagit River, said Reuters. The bridge collapsed once the truck cleared, but some vehicles traveling behind the rig plummeted into the river. Three people were rescued, and fortunately nobody was killed. State officials argued with the trucking company that the bridge had been regularly inspected and the truck had caused the collapse.

Contacting an attorney

By paying attention to the road, including other drivers, people can help to prevent accidents. This includes realizing that trucks need more space and time to stop than smaller cars, and they have large blind spots that make it harder for truck drivers to spot other cars nearby. However, not all accidents can be avoided. If you or a family member has been injured in a trucking crash, it's important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately to find out if you're eligible for the compensation of your medical expenses.

Article provided by Law Offices of Elizabeth Quick, PLLC Visit us at www.lizquicklaw.com