Truck accidents are rising and large trucks contribute to a significant number of vehicular fatalities. Fatalities in a truck involved accident rose by 5.8 percent over a ten-year period. In large truck crashes, the majority involve one large truck and a passenger vehicle. Various causes contribute to fatalities and injuries in truck involved accidents.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has identified different types of driver errors: falling asleep, suffering a heart attack, failing to pay attention, being distracted, driving too fast for conditions, misjudging the speed of others, following too closely, freezing in fear, and overcompensating during stressful event. A majority of large truck accidents, 63 percent, occur on urban roadways. Tractor trucks pulling a trailer are involved in 62 percent in truck involved accidents.

In a report to Congress, two associated factors contribute to truck involved crashes: prescription drug use, and traveling too fast for conditions. Along with the increase in collisions that cause a fatal accident, the average cost of a truck involved accident is increasing. There are some costs associated with truck involved accidents that fail to get included when calculating the cost of an accident: earnings lost, cargo delays, and mental health costs.

It is easy to underestimate the havoc caused by a truck collision. Those involved in accident with a large truck should do two things immediately: seek medical assistance and legal assistance. Even in the absence of pain there may be internal injuries that may be only identified by a medical professional. Medical attention should be your first priority; immediate appropriate safety precautions can limit future pain and suffering. Help from a professional accident attorney should then be considered. Why? A United States Department of Transportation funded research determined that an average truck accident cost $91,112 in 2005.

When a truck involved accident has an associated fatality, the cost averages $3,604,518. When an accident is injury only, then the cost averages $195,258. Remember, after an accident, take the following steps: protect your health and then protect your finances.