Main Causes of Trucking Accidents in Kansas

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2020, the state of Kansas had more than 1,800 trucking accidents. A total of 78 people lost their lives, and 571 people were severely injured. Some people suffered injuries so severe that their lives and the lives of their families will never be the same.

An accident between a truck and a car generally causes more serious injuries. When a fully loaded 80,000-pound semi-truck rams into a 3,000- pound car, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic. In most cases, the accident is the fault of the truck driver.

Main Causes of Trucking Accidents

A few years ago, the FMCSA conducted a study to determine the main causes of trucking accidents. The study showed that:

• Nearly one-third of all trucking accidents are caused by the driver veering out of his lane.
• In just under one-third of cases, the driver loses control of the truck. This is often caused by shifting cargo due to improper loading. Poor road conditions also contribute to the loss of control.
• In 22 percent of all trucking accidents, the truck rear-ends the car ahead. In many cases, this happens when the truck is following too close and fails to allow for the extra braking distance required in a heavily loaded truck versus an ordinary car.
• Other reasons include speeding, running a red light, or driving too fast for road conditions.

The study also revealed that in 90 percent of all trucking accidents, the driver is at fault.

When a Trucking Company Can be Held Liable for an Accident

There are many reasons why a trucking company may be held liable for the actions of the drivers. An overview of some of those reasons includes, but is not limited to:

• The company hired the driver without doing a complete background check and failed to verify the driver had the proper training and experience to drive the type of truck he or she was driving at the time of the accident.
• The driver was trying to meet an unrealistic delivery date established by the company and was therefore not complying with the legally mandated driving versus resting hours.
• The company failed to properly maintain its fleet.

If you have been injured in a trucking accident, or someone you love was killed, the personal injury attorneys at Wall and Huntington can help. Larry Wall and Tina Huntington have over 50 years of combined experience in helping Kansas victims secure the compensation they deserve.

We offer a free consultation so we can evaluate your case and help you decide how to proceed. Contact us as soon as possible to get started on your claim.