California’s long stretches of highway and fair weather bring thousands of commercial trucks onto the road every day. Truck drivers work long hours, often facing shipping deadlines that encourage dangerously high speeds. The risk of accidents is great, and with the current shortage of qualified truck drivers, that risk increases every year. In 2020, the state of California saw 364 fatal truck accidents—a rate that would increase by 26% the very next year. As the truck driver shortage worsens and accident rates go up, all California motorists should be aware of the risks of the road.
Continue reading to learn more about how the U.S. truck driver shortage impacts road safety for California motorists.
Understanding the Truck Driver Shortage
Commercial truck driving is a uniquely challenging career. Industry regulations, long hours, and months on the road away from family make for grueling work, reflected in the profession’s extremely high turnover rate. With the additional health risks introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, as drivers risked exposure to the virus with every food, gas, or bathroom break, many companies struggle to recruit qualified drivers and meet delivery demands. As a result, the recruitment of underqualified, overworked truck drivers has heightened dangerous situations for everyone on the road.
Increased Risk of Accidents
A collision with a commercial truck can happen in an instant. The truck driver shortage has increased accident rates, due to:
- Driver fatigue: Although drivers are legally restricted to 11 hours on the road per day, many truck drivers attempt to drive more than is safe to meet shipping demands. Sleep deprivation is a common cause of truck accidents.
- Speeding: With fewer drivers available to meet deadlines, truck drivers may feel pressured to speed. In a large commercial truck, unable to brake quickly enough to avoid an accident, speeding is incredibly dangerous.
- Lack of skill: Handling a large commercial truck requires skill and expertise. The trucking industry’s high turnover rate means younger, less qualified drivers, inevitably leading to more crashes.
As the truck driver shortage worsens, these dangerous factors will continue to increase. It’s important for all California motorists to be informed of the risks of the road.
California Drivers: What You Need to Know
These dangers do not just impact the trucking industry. Every single driver on the road should be aware that 72% of fatal trucking accidents result in the death of the other driver, not the driver of the truck. Collisions with large commercial trucks, whose size and weight far surpass the average car, can result in life-changing injuries and medical costs for the victim.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a California truck accident, it’s necessary to seek legal advice as you pursue compensation.
California Truck Accident Attorneys
In the face of a truck driver shortage and increasingly dangerous roads, trust our experienced truck accident attorneys to guide you through filing a claim. With a client-centered approach and decades of combined experience, we have built a legacy of successful case verdicts, including a record $35 million settlement for the victim of a truck accident, the largest motor vehicle collision jury verdict in Iowa history.
In the event of a catastrophic truck accident, the attorneys at Rodriguez & Associates are here to help. Contact us today for a consultation.