Common Causes Of Truck Accidents
Accidents involving commercial trucks occur often.
Smaller cars are frequently involved, which are unable to get out of the way and are no match for the massive semi-trucks.
Accidents involving these trucks have the potential to be fatal.
It's simple to see how a driver of a compact passenger car could be engaged in a semi-truck disaster due to their sheer size and number of blind spots.
Accidents involving semi-trucks occur for many of the same causes as those involving passenger vehicles.
Some causes of semi-truck accidents, however, are more common.
The most prevalent causes of truck accidents are discussed in the article below.
Error with the Driver
The most common cause of semi-truck accidents is driver mistake.
Approximately 88 percent of truck-related crashes are caused by driver error.
Speeding, failing to examine blind spots before moving lanes, and driver disorientation are all examples of this.
Negligent driving, speeding, distracted driving, and substance misuse are all examples of faults that truck drivers might commit.
Driving tiredness is a bigger factor in driver error.
Truck drivers are required to follow Hours of Service standards, but many continue to work long hours and travel large distances.
This causes sleep deprivation and exhaustion, placing individuals at risk for mistakes and accidents.
Fatigue in the Driver
Commercial truck drivers have jobs that are high-pressure and high-stress.
Drivers are frequently required by trucking businesses to deliver items to a specified location within a certain amount of time.
As a result, truck drivers must regularly travel vast distances with little time to stop and recuperate.
The distances that truckers must travel frequently need many days on the road.
Drivers do not get enough sleep, and if they do, it is usually of poor quality.
They lose attention and coordination as a result, making them slower to react to traffic situations.
They may also fall asleep behind the wheel.
To keep from falling asleep, they may check their phone or change the radio, both of which are examples of distracted driving.
As previously said, laws and regulations govern how many hours a truck driver can drive in a single shift, how much sleep they require, and when they should take rest breaks.
Unfortunately, many drivers and trucking businesses disregard these regulations, and driver weariness remains a serious issue.
Mechanical Problems
A trucking accident can also be caused by mechanical issues with the truck.
Brake failure is a common example of this.
Heavy trucks have a complicated braking system, and any flaw in the equipment could cause the system to fail, resulting in an accident and serious injuries.
Other technical faults that can cause shipping accidents include unsafe tires, insecure cargo space, and outdated safety technology.
Safety checks are conducted by trucking companies to guarantee that their trucks are roadworthy.
This does not prevent all dangerous trucks from being driven on the road, posing a risk of catastrophic accidents.
Regardless of how cautious a driver is on the road, careless behaviors in the trucking sector can result in devastating accidents and thousands of dollars in property damage.
Inadequate Training and Upkeep
Before driving a tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle, all truck drivers must complete hours of instruction.
However, some truck drivers, like unsafe trucks, manage to get on the road despite not following those conditions.
To learn how to drive safely in adverse weather, especially while operating a large commercial vehicle, it needs a lot of practice and training.
In bad weather, truckers should drive considerably slower than usual to avoid skidding, hydroplaning, or jackknifing.
Drivers who aren't equipped to deal with bad weather put themselves and other drivers at danger of tragic collisions.
Before a truck is allowed on the road, the owner is required to inspect it.
Maintenance, on the other hand, comes at a cost, and it consumes important time that could be better spent making deliveries.
As a result, basic maintenance is neglected or rushed, resulting in unsafe trucks making it onto the roads.
Truck accidents can happen when a driver lacks experience operating huge commercial trucks.
Surprisingly, obtaining a commercial truck driver's license is not difficult, especially when there is a significant demand for truck drivers.
As a result, rookie drivers may lack the necessary skill to operate their car.
Overtaking And Speeding
Due to tight deadlines and enormous distances, truck drivers are not always able to make their deliveries on time.
Nonetheless, many truck drivers attempt to make it.
Drivers are occasionally pushed to exceed posted speed restrictions, what is appropriate for a vehicle of that size, or what is appropriate for the road conditions by the pressure to meet tight deadlines.
When a driver's employment is on the line, he or she is more inclined to travel faster in order to arrive on time.
When you look back in your rearview mirror and see an 18-wheeler approaching from behind, you'll do everything it takes to avoid a rear-end collision.
This frequently entails swerving off the road or into another lane, resulting in a variety of incidents.
Driving Under The Influence
It goes without saying that driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is unlawful in every state.
Commercial drivers are frequently held to a higher standard than the general public, and they are not permitted to consume as much alcohol.
This is because a semi-size, truck's weight, and force make it an inherently dangerous vehicle for everyone on the road.
Drivers who operate a truck, or any vehicle for that matter, while inebriated pose a serious risk to themselves and others on the road.
Immediately after a truck accident you should call the police so they can test the driver for signs of intoxification.
Get A Top Truck Accident Lawyer On Your Side Today!
If you were injured in a truck accident and the trucker was at fault, you have the legal right to seek financial compensation.
Medical bills, missed wages, and the agony and suffering you were forced to undergo should all be covered by your compensation.
A irresponsible truck driver or trucking firm can impact your life forever in a matter of seconds.
Navigating the complicated legal system, on the other hand, takes a long time.
You need an experienced truck accident lawyer you can rely on to stick with you and fight for your rights.
Working with a truck accident attorney increases your chances of receiving fair compensation, allowing you to concentrate on your physical recovery.
Your legal team will also ensure that the insurance company does not take advantage of you and that you obtain a fair compensation.
Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is here to help if you're ready to talk about your case with a team you can trust.
To get started, schedule a free consultation.