Accidents involving large commercial motor vehicles are a serious concern on Missouri roadways. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, out of every 10 traffic fatalities in the United States in 2009, one was caused by a truck accident.

As a result, researchers from Kansas were prompted to examine the most common causes of accidents involving these large trucks. The resulting "Study of Characteristics and Evaluations of Factors Associated with Large Truck Crashes" looked at data from 2004 through 2008 on a national level. A total of 18,919 crashes involving large trucks occurred just in Kansas during that time. Tragically, 81 percent of those truck accidents resulted in a fatality.

The study found that the truck driver involved in the accident was often the primary cause. Based on the information compiled, 73 percent of the time, the truck driver's mistakes, such as failing to provide enough room when switching lanes or passing another vehicle, was the cause.

Some other causes included:

  • Environmental factors, such as rain or animals, accounted for 13 percent of crashes.
  • Road conditions, such as ice or wet asphalt, accounted for 7.8 percent of the accidents.
  • Problems with the vehicle, such as faulty brakes, accounted for 6.1 percent of crashes.

The study also found that many of these incidents happened during the daytime and in locations where posted speed limits are high.

In Missouri, 4,747 fatal and non-fatal large truck accidents occurred in 2005, including tractor-trailer accidents. About 170 people died in the state from big rig collisions that year. In 18-wheeler crashes and truck accidents, 3,298 people were injured and 166 people died. Other common causes included driver fatigue, hours of service, vehicle maintenance and other vehicles. Overall, large trucks account for hundreds of fatalities throughout the country each year, many of which are considered preventable deaths.

Source: Trucking Info, "Researchers Identify Common Factors in Truck-Related Crashes," July 6, 2012.