Last week, several weather-related crashes near Denver shut down traffic. One of the accidents involved a Colorado State Patrol trooper, who was injured when a semi-truck hit his vehicle.

Another case of bad weather and skidding semi-trucks happened on November 14, when a semi skidded off the left side of the road before slamming into a guardrail. Colorado State Patrol cited the 20-year-old truck driver with careless driving. If the driver had hit someone, it would have likely led to severe injury or death.

Truck accidents are a scary prospect, as the average semi-truck weighs anywhere from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds depending on the load size. Sleet and ice make it more likely that already fatigued truck drivers are going to end up crashing, leading to deadly results for the rest of us.

Truck Accidents Are Devastatingly Powerful

Truck accidents have received a lot of attention in the news after famous comedian Tracy Morgan sustained a brain injury in the aftermath of a truck crash. Famous comedian and writer James McNair died in the same wreck. Morgan has filed a lawsuit against the retail giant, as have other survivors of the incident.

In addition to the crash that injured Morgan and killed another comedian, a semi plowed through a red light in Cherry Hills Village, causing a 13-vehicle wreck that injured four people.

Truck Accidents Are a Deadly Serious Problem

Truck accidents have a high probability to cause serious injury or death as compared to any other kind of auto accident. Commercial trucks were responsible for 3,757 deaths and 88,000 injuries in 2011, with driver fatigue cited as a major cause of accidents.

Truck drivers have a responsibility this season to drive with caution and remember that they drive the biggest vehicles on the road.

Metier Law Firm – Injury Lawyers Serving Clients Nationwide

More information on truck accidents and data can be found here.