Kansas Study: Three-Quarters of Truck Collisions Caused by Driver Error

Of the more than 18,000 truck crashes in Kansas between 2004 and 2008, 73 percent were caused by driver error, according to research done by two Kansas State University civil engineers.

The biggest contributor was failure to give enough time and attention to the task being completed, whether it was switching lanes, passing another vehicle, or another task, according to a report in the Claims Journal. Other contributing causes included speeding, failing to yield the right of way, improper lane changes, and following another vehicle too closely.

According to the Claims Journal, researchers also found:

• Nearly 78 percent of truck-crashes happened during daylight and with no adverse weather conditions like rain or snow.
• A majority of the truck crashes happened between noon and 3 p.m.
• More truck crashes happened in locations with a high speed limit.

The researchers say they are using their findings, as well as those from statistical models based on the data, to develop new safety guidelines and educational tools for truck drivers in an effort to reduce truck-related crashes.

When people suffer catastrophic injuries and wrongful death in trucking accidents, the lawyers at The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson work hard to identify the responsible parties and hold them accountable.

Whether the cause is driver fatigue, improper truck maintenance, and/or improper screening, training and supervision of drivers, the Dallas truck accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson have the experience, resources and technical abilities to determine what happened and who should be held responsible.