How Common Are Christmas Trucking Accidents Caused By Driver Fatigue Or Overloaded Cargo?

Christmas trucking accidents, often caused by fatigue and overloaded cargo, may be more common than one might think. The holiday season poses unique challenges for truckers that could increase the risks of a crash.

Truckers manage more orders and tighter deadlines during the holidays. They may end up spending more time driving and less time resting. Unfortunately, fatigued driving is a major concern in the trucking industry. It significantly impacts alertness and reaction time, two essential factors for preventing crashes.

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) study reveals that fatigued driving contributes to 13% of all commercial vehicle crashes in the country. That’s why the FMCSA imposes Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. These regulations specify the maximum number of consecutive hours a trucker can drive to prevent fatigue.

Christmas is also a peak shopping season. Trucks have to carry more packages to meet demand. To promote safety, the FMCSA strictly regulates cargo loading. Overloaded trucks are more challenging to maneuver. They could lose their balance and tip over. Excess weight can also wear out its brakes faster. Over time, this could prevent a trucker from stopping in time to avoid a crash. The FMCSA finds that malfunctioning brakes contribute to 29% of truck accidents.

Currently, statistics don’t specifically cover how often these Christmas trucking crashes occur. However, findings from major road safety organizations show just how common they can be. Christmas-specific factors may increase the likelihood of these events. These can include:

These factors also play a role in many personal injury cases. Were you injured in a Christmas trucking accident? The truck accident lawyers at AK Law Firm can explain your available legal options. Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free case review.

What The Numbers Show About Christmas Accidents And Truck Crashes

Specific data on Christmas trucking accidents in California is limited. However, current traffic information may help explain why they are common. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), a higher number of fatal motor vehicle accidents occur during specific holidays. These include:

• New Year’s Day — 179
• Memorial Day — 443
• Independence Day — 437
• Labor Day — 424
• Thanksgiving Day — 439

This list also includes Christmas Day, as many Americans drive to celebrate with their families. However, car travel is associated with a high fatality rate. As such, the NSC often estimates Christmas Day holiday period deaths in the hundreds. In 2023, its forecast was even 8% lower than the actual number of recorded fatalities (345 vs. 377). This is why we offer a holiday season driving guide: to promote road safety at this time of the year.

The NSC doesn’t specify whether fatigue or overloaded cargo causes these Christmas crashes. However, these factors could contribute to them in a few ways. For example, more trucks may be on the road for longer to make holiday deliveries. A 2024 crash in Encino shows how this can heighten the risk of crashes. Right before 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve, a semi-truck’s trailer toppled over. The accident shut down four lanes of traffic on the 101 Freeway.

Large Truck Crashes And Holiday Travel Surges

In California, large truck accidents account for only a small share of road crashes. However, they’re more likely to be severe or even fatal. A fully loaded tractor-trailer is typically 20 times heavier than a car. To carry cargo, it’s also longer and made of more durable materials.

As a result, a large truck crash can potentially be deadly. Our blog post on the most common types of truck accidents and injuries in California notes that they can occur due to something as simple as a truck making a wide turn. However, they can cause victims to suffer potentially fatal injuries like internal bleeding.

The latest Traffic Safety Facts report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) further underscores the danger posed by these collisions. It reveals that in 2022, large truck crashes caused 5,936 fatalities. That’s a 2% increase from 2021. Notably, these numbers don’t specify how many trucking accidents actually take place during Christmas. However, they highlight the risks such crashes could bring at this time of year.

Nearly 90% of Americans travel by car for the Christmas holiday. This results in significant road congestion, particularly on major California highways, such as the I-5, the 405, and Highway 101. Bumper-to-bumper traffic in major urban areas, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, can complicate maneuverability for truckers and increase the risk of accidents.

How Often Do Fatigue And Cargo Problems Cause Truck Crashes?

Driver fatigue and overloaded cargo have long been major issues for the trucking industry. They’re among the most common causes of truck crashes.

Driver Fatigue

A 2006 FMCSA study found that 13% of commercial motor vehicle drivers were fatigued in the lead-up to a serious crash. A similar proportion may occur during Christmas, when truckers work longer hours to meet demand.

These accidents can be fatal. Drowsy driving accidents reported by the police in 2023 caused 633 deaths. Notably, they occurred in places and times where long-haul truckers typically operate:

• Between 12:00 a.m. and 6 a.m., as well as in the late afternoon.
• Rural roads and highways.

Overloaded Or Improperly Loaded Cargo

California trucking law strictly regulates cargo because it can make trucks more difficult to control. Overloading or improper loading is considered one of the primary factors contributing to truck rollovers, as it increases the risk of trucks tipping over. Cargo could then spill onto the road.

That makes it a crucial crash factor. Road debris was responsible for an average of 53,000 accidents each year from 2018 to 2023. These incidents resulted in 5,500 injuries and 72 deaths annually.

This general data covers different types of auto accidents. However, the AAA states that vehicle cargo was the second source of this debris. This most likely refers to trucks. Heavy holiday loads may similarly cause Christmas trucking accidents.

Why Christmas Conditions Raise The Risk Of Fatigued Or Overloaded Trucking

Delivery demands spike during the holidays. Gift shopping, combined with guarantees for same-day and last-minute deliveries, can further tighten deadlines. It may pressure truckers to drive for longer with heavier loads.

This pressure could cause fatigue. Similar to driving under the influence, drowsiness can slow reaction times. That could make it more challenging for truckers to avoid accidents. Reduced decision-making skills could even make it harder to secure or drive with more cargo properly. Winter-related road hazards could exacerbate these issues.

The FMCSA’s HOS regulations aim to help truckers get enough rest between drives. However, its rules could be more complicated to follow during the holidays. To prevent crashes, trucking companies should help their drivers comply with these regulations.

Any property damage, injuries, or fatalities from these factors could lead to legal claims. In these instances, victims may be eligible to pursue compensation for their losses. Here’s how holiday pressures, winter hazards, and legal duties intersect:

Holiday Freight And Traffic Surges

Truckers often have to carry more cargo to fulfill more orders. The extra weight can affect how well they can steer their trucks and dodge accidents. Combined with holiday traffic surges, Christmas can increase the risk of collisions. Trucking companies are responsible for helping their drivers safely meet deadlines despite these conditions.

Tight Schedules And Night Driving

To meet holiday demand, trucking companies may shorten rest periods to maximize delivery hours. As a result, drivers may experience stress in addition to fatigue. That could lead to reduced alertness, improper cargo loading, and reckless driving behavior. These can all cause truck accidents.

That’s exemplified by the fact that many truck accidents occur between midnight and 6 a.m., when truckers often make deliveries during the Christmas season. During this period, poor visibility due to nighttime driving and wintry road conditions can increase the likelihood of accidents.

Overloaded Or Improperly Secured Cargo

During the holiday season, trucking companies often move higher volumes of freight to meet increased demand. Tight delivery schedules and added pressure to stay on time can lead to mistakes during the loading process. These conditions may increase the risk of holiday trucking accidents, including:

• Overloading — Carrying too much cargo can strain a truck’s mechanical systems and reduce braking performance, which increases stopping distances and the risk of rear-end accidents.
• Improper Cargo Securement — When cargo is not secured correctly or evenly distributed, it can shift while the truck is in motion. This shift can affect vehicle stability, causing drivers to lose control or leading to cargo spilling into surrounding traffic.

For these reasons, the FMCSA enforces Cargo Securement Rules to prevent cargo-related accidents. These require motor carriers to secure cargo according to set guidelines before transit.

How Christmas Trucking Accidents Can Turn Into Personal Injury Claims

Christmas trucking accidents may give rise to personal injury claims when negligence contributes to the crash. Common examples include fatigued driving, overloaded cargo, or failure to follow federal safety regulations. When these factors cause harm, individuals who are injured may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other related losses.

Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash. Potentially responsible parties may include:

• The Truck Driver — A driver may be liable if unsafe driving behavior, fatigue, or regulatory violations contributed to the collision.
• The Trucking Company — A trucking company may bear responsibility if it failed to enforce safety policies or comply with federal regulations, such as hours-of-service rules or cargo securement requirements.
• The Cargo Loading Company — When a separate company loads the truck, it may be liable if improper or overloaded cargo played a role in the crash.
• The Truck’s Manufacturer — Defective vehicle components or equipment failures may place liability on the manufacturer in some instances.

Because trucking operations involve many moving parts, more than one party may share responsibility for a single accident. In these cases, delivery truck accident lawyers can help assess liability by independently investigating the collision.

A thorough investigation helps identify who may be responsible and clarifies how the crash occurred. It also helps document the extent of injuries and related losses. For example, medical records and expert analysis may connect the collision to specific injuries and ongoing treatment needs, such as physical therapy or chiropractic care.

Key evidence often includes:

• Electronic logging device (ELD) data.
• Bills of lading, cargo manifests, and weight station records.
• Photos or videos from the accident scene.
• Expert evaluations, including accident reconstruction analysis.

Investigating trucking accidents during the holiday season follows the same general process as at other times of the year. However, holiday conditions can add challenges. Increased traffic on highways and local roads may complicate evidence collection, and higher claim volumes can slow insurance reviews.

These factors make early documentation and careful evaluation especially important when a crash occurs during the Christmas season.

As a result, some individuals who have been injured may begin to think, “I need a personal injury lawyer,” especially when liability questions or insurance delays arise during the holiday season. Speaking with an attorney can help clarify how these issues may affect a claim. At Arash Law, our car accident lawyers also handle truck accident cases and are familiar with the added complexities that Christmas trucking accidents can present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions about Christmas trucking accidents. If you need legal guidance about a specific concern, you can schedule a free initial consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers.

How Common Are Christmas Trucking Accidents Caused By Driver Fatigue Or Overloaded Cargo?

Currently, statistics don’t specifically cover how often such Christmas trucking crashes occur. However, the FMCSA reveals that fatigued driving contributes to 13% of all commercial vehicle crashes in the country. The AAA adds that vehicle cargo is the second biggest cause of accidents caused by road debris.

Ultimately, research indicates that holiday trucking accidents, often caused by fatigue and overloaded cargo, may be more common during this time. Christmas-specific factors may increase the likelihood of these events. These can include surges in demand, stricter delivery windows, loading errors, and weather conditions.

Who Is At The Greatest Risk Of Driver Fatigue?

Currently, there is no data that directly answers this question. The FMCSA notes that many accident investigators aren’t trained to identify signs of fatigue in truckers. As a result, reporting practices vary.

During the holidays, however, some truckers may be more vulnerable to fatigue. They can include:

• Those who make nighttime or early morning deliveries.
• Long-haul truckers
• Those with untreated sleep disorders
• Truckers taking drowsiness-inducing medications

What Is The Most Common Cause Of Truck Accidents?

The number one cause of truck accidents in California is driver error, such as:

• Recognition Errors — Failing to recognize accident hazards, such as in distracted driving accidents.
• Decision Errors — One example is choosing to speed on icy roads.
• Performance Errors — These can include poor directional control. They can occur if a truck is overloaded, making it harder to maneuver.
• Non-Performance Errors — According to the NHTSA, sleeping behind the wheel is the most critical non-performance error. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes that, after more than eight hours, drivers of large trucks are twice as likely to be involved in an accident.

During the holidays, when Christmas trucking accidents could happen more often, it’s equally important to know what happens if a delivery truck crashes. Your next steps may include determining whether you have a legal right to seek compensation and exploring ways to support your claim. For more guidance on these matters, you can schedule a free initial consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Truck Accident Lawyer?

The answer varies on a case-by-case basis. Generally, attorneys may charge more for truck accident claims. They’re more likely to involve multiple parties. However, affordability may be an issue after a crash. You might be dealing with medical bills and other expenses. In this case, you may wonder: “Do lawyers only get paid if they win?”

The short answer is yes. Our truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Our clients only pay attorney’s fees if they receive compensation. We discuss all these details with them during the onboarding process.

How Long After A Holiday Trucking Accident Can You Still Make A Claim?

In California, you generally have two years after the date of the accident to make a claim. Filing a case after this statute of limitations could lead to its dismissal.

However, some exceptions may apply. For injured minors, the statute of limitations doesn’t begin until they turn 18. In some cases, victims may not immediately notice their injuries. If so, the clock starts ticking from the date they should have reasonably discovered them.

Since deadlines can vary, consider consulting a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you meet the required deadlines. Doing so could help you initiate the claims process earlier. Doing so may put you in a better position to file a case within the statute of limitations.

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers For A Free Initial Consultation

Christmas trucking accidents may be more common than you think. The holiday rush can lead to driver fatigue and overloaded cargo. These are two of the most common causes of truck crashes.

Were you or a loved one injured in a Christmas trucking accident? You may be looking for free accident lawyer advice. These crashes can be severe. The resulting medical bills and other losses could add to your list of holiday expenses.

Our attorneys at Arash Law can review your case. We can explain California’s complex trucking regulations. We can also investigate whether fatigue and overloaded cargo contributed to your crash. If necessary, we can consult accident reconstruction specialists to support your case. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help identify negligent parties and pursue the compensation to which you may be entitled under the law.

Call us today at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation. You can also fill out our “Do I Have A Case?” form here to learn more about your legal options.