The Summer Brings an Increase in Fatal Semi Truck Accidents
As the winter gives way to spring, we see more and more people out enjoying the world around us.
More and more people are hitting the roads, and after Memorial Day, that number will increase dramatically.
With many more people on the roadways throughout the spring and summer, and in the south those nice days stick around well into the fall, we’ll see the annual uptick in fatal semi truck accidents. When you’re traveling, be prepared so that you don’t end up one of the thousands of victims.
Why are there More Fatal Semi Truck Accidents in the Summer?
The most basic reason: there are more vehicles on the road during the summer. More traffic leads to more wrecks.
But there are a number of other factors that come into play as well. All things combined, it leads to a bit more of a perfect storm for fatal semi truck accidents.
Construction Zones: Summer is construction season; especially when you head to states up north where they have a limited window to get things done. These congested areas can be dangerous.
Wear and Tear on Tires: Generally speaking, the hotter it is, the harder the roads are on tires. Blowing out a tire can lead to a swerving semi and a crash.
More Distractions: In the fall, winter, and spring, the weather is usually worse. Hazards on the road and weather conditions mean drivers are actually paying more attention. When those roads are open, we zone out or are tempted to pick up the phone.
No School: Teenage drivers are inexperienced drivers. Most of the year they are in school, and not on the roads. But during the summer, there are more inexperienced drivers out there.
You can’t pinpoint one reason as being more of a cause of wrecks than the other; they all work together to end up being a bad situation.
What Day of the Week is the Worst for Travel?
Interestingly enough, you can pinpoint a day that has more semi truck wrecks than others.
Weekends, although busier for most travel, have fewer trucks on the road.
But come Thursday, more big rigs crash than any other day of the week. The reason is likely a combination of fatigue and trying to finish up a route so they can get home, or at least be done working, for the weekend.
How to Avoid being in an Accident
So, we know when the worst accidents occur, now we need to know how to avoid them.
If you don’t have to travel on Thursday, then stay off the road on Thursday (we can narrow that down to weekdays between noon and 3pm too; it seems that after lunch people get drowsy).
When you’re driving during the summer, make sure you pay extra attention to your surroundings, and other vehicles. Notice a truck’s tires: if one starts smoking it’s probably going to blow soon. Notice construction zones, and be aware of any vehicle rapidly approaching from behind you if you’re slowing for these areas. Keep your head about you, don’t drive dangerously, and put that phone down.
Herbert Law Group is here to Help
The sad reality is that no matter how much awareness we have, fatal semi truck accidents are always going to be an issue (even when they’re fully autonomous, errors will happen).
If you, or your loved one, have been injured or killed in a semi truck accident, you need the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer.
Herbert Law Group knows the laws. We understand what to look for, who is to blame, and how to pursue justice for you. You deserve compensation that will completely cover your losses; we’ll get you there.
Give us a call at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site, and we’ll be in touch. Let’s have a conversation first, see how we can help, and then go from there.