Truck collisions continued to be a serious problem on Indiana roads. While not every accident is preventable, reviewing the data related to crash statistics May provide insights into how to address the problem. An unexpected fact appears in reports covering recent accidents. Namely, newer carriers appear to be more frequently involved in such incidents.
New carriers and truck crashes
Some might believe that older carriers would be more likely to cause a crash. Older companies might operate with older fleets that experience mechanical issues. While older vehicles could have concerning issues, proper maintenance and oversight might address problems with wear and tear.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, new carriers that entered the industry play a role in many crashes. Reports state that there has been an increase in crashes involving larger trucks owned by newer carriers that entered the industry in 2018. In 2018, 1.3% of all crashes involved buses or trucks overseen by new industry entrants.
Crashes and harm
Questions may arise about why these truck accidents occur. The reasons may vary, and they could involve a lack of adherence to safety inspections and maintenance. However, such problems could exist with both older and newer trucking companies. The same might be the case when a company does not adhere to mandatory breaks for its drivers. Fatigued drivers could be at a greater risk of a crash.
Even when a trucking company’s management does everything correctly, a driver could be negligent on the road. For example, the driver may operate a vehicle under the Influence or commit moving violations. Ultimately, anyone hurt in a truck crash might file a civil suit against one or more negligent parties. An insurance settlement might cover the losses.
