Dangerous Freeway Ramps Can Cause Big Rig Truck Accidents

Driving on the freeway does not come without dangers. There are high speeds, heavy traffic, and inattentive drivers. Of course, these all add up to make an increased risk of a crash. When you add the weight of a loaded big rig into the mix, the risk becomes greater. Statistics show that anywhere from 30 percent to 45 percent of all semi-truck crashes occur either on or near freeway ramps. These figures include trucking accidents that occur while semis are merging onto the freeway or while the big rigs are maneuvering onto streets after having left the freeway ramp.

Merging accidents account for anywhere from 20 percent to 30 percent of all big rig trucking crashes, and accidents at the intersections of the freeway ramps account for about 10 percent to 15 percent of all the accidents. There are many reasons for big truck crashes on or near freeway ramps. Driver error from truckers and those operating passenger vehicles is one reason, but also outdates or faulty interchange design, and inadequate signs are contributing factors.

Discovering the Root of the Problem

Freeway ramp crashes are a nationwide problem. A study published by the National Library of Medicine in 2004 indicated that freeway entrance and exit ramp interchanges are where far more crashes per mile driven than any other section of interstate. A study was conducted that reviewed 1,150 motor vehicle crashes that happened on heavily traveled freeway ramps in the northern region of Virginia. “After reviewing narrative descriptions and diagrams from the accident reports, the most common kinds of crash were reviewed again for different roadway locations and ramp designs and if the drivers who were at-fault for the crash in question were entering or exiting the freeway”.

The study revealed that about 36 percent of crashes happened when drivers were entering the roadway while another 16 percent occurred midway of the access road or on ramps that connect two freeways. According to the study, 95 percent of crashes were three major kinds of accidents – rear-end collision, sideswipe/cutoff, and run-off-the-road. The most common crashes on freeway ramps were crashes where cars were run off the road, and they often happened when vehicles were exiting the interstate on curved parts of the ramp, in bad weather, or after dark and speed often played a significant role.

Crashes that occurred where access roads or ramps exit or enter were more likely to be a cut-off or sideswipe accident. Usually, a passenger vehicle was at fault because it merged from the entrance ramp into the side of a big rig already in motion on the freeway. Rear-end collisions were more likely to occur on access roads. Congested areas played a role in these accidents. Alcohol played a significant role in crashes in which vehicles were run off the roadway, including 30 percent of those on ramp margins and 14 percent of those on the actual freeway ramps.

Use Caution On Freeway Ramps

When you are merging, you should use extreme caution. You must carefully judge distance, cautiously and carefully maneuver your way into the flow of traffic and maintain proper speed and distance. You should also consider the freeway time headways and the merging locations. Some ramps are more prone to crashes than others, and in those regions, you should use extreme caution. Big rig truck accidents on freeway ramps can lead to life-altering injuries and extensive damage. It can lead to mounting medical bills, property damages, and extensive time off work, including short-term or long-term disabilities.

The Insurance Journal reported that hundreds of truck drivers die in rollovers on exit ramps every year. Rollovers are a trucker’s worst nightmare. After the freight shifts then breaks loose and starts to slide, there is nothing the trucker can do to regain control of the big rig. While rollovers total 3.3 percent of all big rig crashes, they were responsible for more than one-half of the deaths to truckers and big rig occupants in 2012. Some contributing factors to big rig rollovers include drivers who are overworked, fatigued, and distracted. Another contributing factor is aging roadways that have uneven pavement, potholes, and sharp turns as well as outdated road designs.

Personal Injury Claims

If a dangerous freeway ramp has caused a big rig truck accident that left you with injuries, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer who handles trucking accident claims. There is a statute of limitations that applies to pursuing a personal injury claim, so do not wait until it is too late to recover your losses.