Crashes involving 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers and other large trucks can be the most catastrophic accidents on the road. Due to their size and weight, they can easily crush and destroy anything they collide with, whether that includes people or property.
As such, it can be helpful to know where, when and why these accidents happen so you can hopefully avoid them.
Where truck accidents happen
According to the National Safety Council, nearly 55 percent of fatal truck crashes occur in rural areas. And the vast majority of them (over 73 percent) occur on non-interstate roadways.
And while trucking collisions can happen anywhere, they could be more likely to affect drivers on the most dangerous roads in Oklahoma, including the Turner turnpike and Oklahoma state highway 9.
When truck accidents happen
Data from Oklahoma Public Safety shows that there were 5,836 crashes involving large trucks in 2019 in this state. These accidents led to over 100 fatalities and more than 2,000 injuries.
National statistics show that fatal trucking crashes increase in June and remain high until they peak in October. Perhaps surprising is the fact that most of them occur during the day.
Why truck accidents happen
Many crashes are preventable because they are due to human error. In the case of a truck accident, the cause of a collision could be:
- A drunk or distracted trucker
- A tired or sleeping trucker
- A poorly maintained truck
- Improperly loaded or secured cargo
- Untrained drivers
Weather can also cause or contribute to truck accidents. Oklahoma has very active, dangerous storms – particularly in the spring. Slick roads and high winds can make it more difficult to operate a truck safely, increasing the risk of an accident.
This information could help you avoid a devastating crash with a large truck. If one does occur, factors like where it happened or who else was involved could make it easier to assess your legal options and rights with the help of an Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer.