Common Causes Of Trucking Accidents In Louisiana

In addition to being a hub of rich history and vibrant culture, Louisiana serves as an important crossroads for the country’s transportation network. While this key industry fuels the economy, it also increases the risk of trucking accidents in the state.  Three of the top 10 ports in the US (by tonnage) are located in Louisiana.  All of those containers that come in on ships need to get somewhere else in the country, and many of them are put on trucks.  Whether you are driving next to an 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 or navigating the city roads in New Orleans, the threat of an accident is always present. 

At LA Law Lady, Lauren Pilie works tirelessly to secure the compensation her clients deserve. She leverages an in-depth understanding of Louisiana personal injury law with years of experience to build the strongest case possible for her clients, prioritizing their rights above all else along the way. To discuss your case with an experienced Louisiana trucking accident lawyer, consider scheduling your free consultation today at (504) 470-3511.

How Are Trucking Accidents Different from Other Accidents?

Trucking accidents are different from other accidents in their causes, consequences, and legal implications. Even though both accidents involve motor vehicles and occur every day on Louisiana roadways, the scale and complexity of trucking accidents are often far greater than car accidents. 

The Role of Size Disparity

The increased severity of trucking accidents can be credited to the size disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. Trucks are often 20 to 30 times heavier than cars, and the huge mass of these commercial vehicles increases the risk of more severe accident damage, including injuries and fatalities. Think of a match between a lightweight and a heavyweight boxer – the sheer size of the heavyweight magnifies the force of their impact, and the featherweight stands no chance.  A fully-loaded 18-wheeler is equivalent to the weight of approximately 20 cars.  

Managing the size and weight of commercial trucks can pose unique challenges for drivers. Trucks accelerate more slowly uphill and gain more speed going downhill, which can lead to issues with acceleration and braking. Additionally, commercial trucks have a different center of gravity than passenger vehicles, meaning trucks can roll over more easily on curves and bends in the road – especially trucks carrying liquids With such a high ground clearance, it is not unheard of for cars to be pushed or pulled under commercial trucks. 

The Hazards of Poorly Secured Cargo

While the simple fact of their size impacts the severity of truck accidents, it is also important to consider the nature of the cargo being transported. There are several rules and regulations by the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that govern the way commercial trucks secure and transport their cargo, but one simple mistake can jeopardize the safety of every driver on the road. 

Size & Weight Standards

There are federal size standards that apply to the Interstate Highway System and any highways capable of handling commercial trucks. According to these standards, set forth by the Department of Transportation, the maximum weight of a single-axle truck cannot exceed 20,000 pounds and a tandem axle truck cannot exceed 34,000 pounds. The gross weight of the vehicle cannot exceed 80,000 pounds. Trailer height and length requirements may vary by state. 

Handling of Hazardous Materials 

In some cases, commercial trucks are used to transport hazardous materials within Louisiana or across state borders. Hazardous material includes any goods, substances, or materials that can pose a risk to health, safety, or the environment, such as:

• Explosives, like dynamite or fireworks
• Flammable liquids, like gasoline
• Combustible solids
• Aerosol sprays, like cleaners or hairspray
• Alcohols, like high-proof spirits
• Ammunition and gunpowder

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations surrounding the transportation of hazardous materials are ever-evolving, and trucking companies that do not comply with these regulations can face serious consequences. Even when trucking companies adhere to these regulations, accidents involving hazardous materials can be particularly dangerous.

National Trucking Accident Statistics 

While car accidents are more common than trucking accidents, truck crashes account for a larger percentage of fatal accidents. Even more harrowing is the fact that in 72% of fatal trucking accidents, the driver of the passenger vehicle was the person killed in the crash (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). This speaks to how devastating these crashes can be for the passenger vehicles involved.

According to the National Safety Council, the number of trucks involved in injury crashes has increased by 18%, and in 2022 alone, there were more than 161,000 injuries associated with trucking accidents across the United States. Most of these accidents occur during the daytime, and approximately half of all trucking crashes happen on rural roadways.

Louisiana Trucking Accident Statistics

In Louisiana, the statistics are similarly frightening. According to a report from Louisiana State University’s Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety, an average of 3,900 trucking accidents occur each year. In 35% of fatal accidents, the truck driver was cited for a violation, with “operating a motor vehicle in an inattentive, careless, negligent, or erratic manner” being the most common violation. 

Roughly a third of all trucking accidents happened on interstates, 30% on state highways, and 18% on US highways. Certain areas have emerged as hotspots for trucking accidents in Louisiana, such as:

• Interstate 10, specifically near New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Heavy traffic and construction make the I-10 prone to trucking accidents.
• Interstate 20. The flow of both local and long-haul traffic, along with inclement weather and long stretches of road, make this a popular location for crashes.
• Interstate 49 is a key transportation corridor connecting Lafayette and Shreveport. High speed limits (75 mph) and long stretches of rural roadway contribute to its danger. 
• US Route 90. This highway’s narrow lanes, high speeds, and frequent intersections can pose challenges for truck drivers, increasing the likelihood of collisions.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Trucking Accidents?

While truck drivers are trained professionals, a range of factors can cause trucking accidents on Louisiana roads. The following are some of the most common causes of trucking accidents that may result in personal injury claims and the critical factors that contribute to collisions in Louisiana. 

Driver Error

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration conducted a Large Truck Crash Causation Study, investigating the critical reason behind trucking accidents across the country. In 87% of the 141,000 studied crashes, driver error was the root cause of the collision. Driver error cases were divided into four categories: 

• Non-performance refers to situations in which the driver fell asleep at the wheel, became disabled by a heart attack or seizure, or was otherwise impaired for some reason. Non-performance was the cause of 12% of the studied accidents.

• Recognition refers to driver inattention. Distracted driving falls under this category. Recognition was the cause of 28% of the collisions.

• Decision involves situations where the driver made a conscious choice to violate the rules of the road. Speeding, tailgating, and ignoring traffic signals fall under the decision category, which was the cause of 38% of studied trucking accidents.
• Performance occurs when the driver panics, overcompensates, or fails to exercise proper directional control. Performance was the cause of the remaining 9% of crashes.

While these statistics help us paint a clearer picture of why trucking accidents happen, let us look more closely at some of the most common driver error situations that have resulted in injury- or fatality-causing accidents.

Driver Fatigue

Truck driver fatigue has been widely recognized as a major contributing factor to crashes. According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, an alarming 13% of drivers were considered to have been fatigued at the time of their accident. The Truck Safety Coalition reports that 65% of truck drivers state that they often feel tired while driving, and nearly half of all drivers have admitted to actually falling asleep while driving. 

Clearly, fatigue is an industry-wide issue. Studies demonstrate that the risk of collisions triples in the eleventh hour of driving, yet Hours of Service Regulations allow drivers to operate a commercial truck for 11 consecutive hours in a fourteen-hour work shift. If you were involved in a trucking accident due to driver fatigue, you are not alone. At LA Law Lady, Lauren will help you strengthen your claim ensure to help you receive the compensation you deserve following a driver fatigue-related accident.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

The Large Truck Crash Causation Study reports that 3% of accidents were caused by alcohol or illegal drug use. At first glance, this may seem like a small number, but this 3% translates to over 4,000 accidents in a single year. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict drug and alcohol testing protocols in place to prevent impaired driving, no program is perfect. 

Distracted Driving

For truck drivers, driving is a job that requires their full, undivided attention. Research from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows that truck drivers are 6 times more likely to be involved in a collision or near-collision when using their cell phones. Distractions can have several different forms, from eating and drinking to typing an address into the GPS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes three distinct types of distractions, including: 

• Manual distractions involving the driver removing their hands from the wheel. Eating, adjusting the radio, or handling work documents all count as manual distractions.

• Visual distractions involving the driver taking their eyes off the road. Looking at a GPS, reading a text message, and glancing at billboards are all common examples of visual distractions.

• Cognitive distractions involving the driver taking their mind off the task of driving. Stress, fatigue, or engaging in a conversation with a passenger can all lead to cognitive distraction. 

Driver Training & Company Priorities

With driver error being the number one cause of trucking accidents, it makes sense to take a closer look at driver training and the company priorities that may result in inexperienced drivers on the roads. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, freight tons moving on the country’s roadways are projected to increase by 40% in the next three decades. This increased volume, coupled with the global shortage of commercial truck drivers, may motivate trucking companies to hire less experienced drivers.

Poor Inspection and Maintenance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that trucking companies comply with strict regulations surrounding the inspection, repair, and maintenance of their fleet. Even with these requirements in place, mechanical defects and failures still happen. The most common accident-causing mechanical issues are brake failures and tire blow-outs. 

Mechanical issues can typically be prevented through a thorough inspection and proper ongoing maintenance of the truck. If you were involved in a trucking accident, you may be able to hold the organization(s) responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and repairing the truck accountable. 

Road & Weather Conditions

Based on the same data from the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, environmental factors accounted for 3% of the studied accidents. Issues like poor road maintenance and unexpected detours can easily cause trucking accidents. Likewise, heavy rain, snow, or sleet can lead to dangerous driving conditions. Road and weather conditions can make liability determinations difficult, and at LA Law Lady, Lauren casts a wide net when analyzing trucking accidents. Whenever possible, Lauren  works to hold all responsible parties accountable for their negligence. 

Speak with an Experienced Louisiana Trucking Accident Attorney Today

At LA Law Lady, Lauren Pilie puts her clients first and approaches each case with a sense of compassion and empathy. Not only does she handle all the details of your claim, but also prioritizes your needs at every step of the process. By keeping you informed of your case, answering all questions you may have, and involving you in all the major decisions associated with your claim, she works with you to secure the compensation you deserve. 

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a Louisiana trucking accident, it is important to seek the assistance of an experienced and passionate attorney. The Louisiana trucking accident lawyer at LA Law Lady advocates for the full financial recovery of her clients through careful handling of all aspects of their claim, from investigation to trial. To begin your free case review, consider contacting Lauren Pilie at (504) 470-3511 today.