Semi-truck accidents are some of the most devastating on our roads and highways. Given the sheer size of these vehicles, on average about 72 feet long and weighing up to 40 tons when fully loaded, this is unsurprising. For context, a 2020 Honda Accord weighs 3,313 lbs., just over 1.5 tons. In other words, as our Northern New Jersey truck accident lawyers will tell you, the semi-trucks you see barreling down the highway are very dangerous. At Buttafuoco & Associates, our experienced team has helped numerous clients who have been harmed by truck accidents.
I’ll tell you more about these accidents below. Remember that if you have been involved in an accident and feel that the truck driver was responsible, call 1-800-NOW-HURT to learn about your rights.
New Jersey Truck Accidents
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 119,000 crashes involving large trucks and buses in 2021, and 5,340 of those involved at least one fatality. And according to NIOSH, a third of long-haul truckers experience at least one major crash.
Many truck accidents leave no one hurt and perhaps block lanes of traffic for a few hours, but some have dire consequences. Our Northern New Jersey truck accident lawyers have taken note of several truck accidents on the roadways resulting in injuries and fatalities just this year:
- February 18: One man died when his vehicle collided with a semi-truck on the New Jersey Turnpike.
- April 12: Three people died when a tractor trailer collided with a minivan, resulting in a devastating fire in South Brunswick.
- May 8: Two people were airlifted for emergency medical care after a multi-vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer in Burlington County.
Three Common Reasons for Semi-truck Accidents
There are many reasons why truck accidents occur, but some are more common than others. With the pressures of long hours and harsh deadlines, truck drivers are often forced into dangerous driving habits. Here are some of the top causes of these accidents:
- Driver fatigue: To meet demanding deadlines, long haul truckers need to cover great distances quickly, leading to long hours and overnight driving. This can cause a host of problems, including driver fatigue and impaired reaction times and decision-making abilities. One study on sleep deprivation and driving found that driving tired was more dangerous than driving drunk.
- Distracted driving: Long distance truckers spend many hours on the road, which often leads to multitasking. Activities like texting, eating, or adjusting the radio can divert a driver’s attention from the road. Between 2012 and 2017, there were roughly 20,000 fatalities on New Jersey roadways from distracted driving.
- Speeding: To meet those tight deadlines, truck drivers will often drive with excessive speed. Due to their enormous size, semi-trucks require longer stopping distances, and speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react.
According to our truck accident lawyer serving Northern New Jersey, these are some of the same reasons our roads are so dangerous, but when you’re dealing with an 80,000 lb vehicle, the stakes are that much higher.
Do you Need an Attorney?
As our Northern New Jersey truck accident attorney can attest, these incidents often result in devastating consequences for victims and their families. With the high stakes involved, seeking legal guidance from experienced attorneys becomes crucial.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a semi-truck accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Buttafuoco & Associates for expert assistance and support. Being injured in an accident is devastating, so call 1-800-NOW-HURT to get an experienced legal team in your corner.
