It’s important to hold a truck driver responsible in the case of an accident. These drivers are meant to follow strict regulations, speed limits and time schedules, so they don’t end up hurting you or others on the road. When someone falls asleep behind the wheel or makes a bad decision and causes an accident, it’s your right to make a claim for compensation.

The fact is that in 2013, there were 1,881 truck accidents statewide. Of those accidents, 18 were fatal, while another 489 resulted in injuries to those who were involved.

The most dangerous city for any type of crash was Charlotte, which saw a shocking 27,822 crashes. Of those, 64 resulted in fatalities to those involved. Another area with heavy crash data was Asheville, which had 4,418 with 13 fatalities and 1,415 injuries. Durham also had many accidents in 2013; 10,562 took place in the city while 17 of those resulted in fatalities.

So what can you do to make sure you don’t get into a truck accident? Be aware of your surroundings, and be a defensive driver. Remember not to get into a truck driver’s blind spots or to stop or travel too closely to the truck.

As for drivers, they should always be careful in heavy traffic and be aware of slowing vehicles. The truck’s load should be secured tightly to avoid debris falling and hurting others or causing accidents. If accidents do happen, it’s important to speak with an attorney about the possibility for compensation, since you will want to make a claim through the driver or his company’s insurance provider.

Source: North Carolina Department of Transportation, “North Carolina 2013 Traffic Crash Facts,” accessed Jan. 01, 2016