Truck Driver’s Decision Errors Cause 43% of Large Truck Crashes

The Large Truck Crash Causation Study commissioned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) concluded that: “Drivers of large trucks and other vehicles involved in truck crashes are ten times more likely to be the cause of the crash than other factors, such as weather, road conditions, and vehicle performance.” The Large Truck Causation Crash Study was based on a review of the pre-crash contributing factors and causes of large truck crashes involving commercial motor vehicles nation-wide. Of significant interest is that the Large Truck Causation Crash Study found that the critical reason for 43% of all truck crashes caused by tractor trailer drivers was the large truck driver’s decision errors, including driving too fast for conditions to be able to respond to unexpected actions of other road users; driving too slow for traffic stream; misjudgment of gap or other driver’s speed; following too closely to respond to unexpected actions; false assumption of other road user’s actions; making an illegal maneuver; taking inadequate evasive action, e.g. braking only, not braking and steering; aggressive driving behavior; and driving too fast for a curve/turn.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or suffered a wrongful death as a result of a crash with a large truck caused by the truck driver’s decision error, contact the experienced Baton Rouge, Louisiana truck accident attorneys at Dué Guidry Piedrahita Andrews Courrege L.C.. Email Louisiana truck injury lawyers or call (225) 929-7481 to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION.