If you’re unlucky enough to be involved in a truck accident, the damages can be costly and aggravating. If you’ve been injured by a negligent truck driver, then you’ll want to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who understands how dangerous these events are. Here’s a list of some of the most common causes of negligent truck accidents.
1. A Load that Exceeds the Maximum Allowable Weight Limit
A load that exceeds the maximum allowable weight limit can cause truckers to lose control and make a hazardous maneuver to avoid it. This may lead to an accident as the driver is momentarily distracted, which could result in injuries for motorists or damage to vehicles involved in such an accident.
2. Speeding
Speeding is another major cause of truck accidents. It causes a truck driver to lose control and crash into other vehicles on the road, or to climb up in front of another motorist and cause an accident. If a truck is involved in an accident with a smaller vehicle, the smaller vehicle is likely to contact the much heavier vehicle, resulting in serious injuries for the driver and passengers of that car.
3. Driver Distraction
Another common cause of truck accidents is driver distraction. Many drivers become distracted by the radio, cell phones, or other electronic devices, and their attention isn’t focused on the road. This could lead to an accident with a motorist who is injured or killed as a result.
4. Negligent Trucking Companies
If the trucking company is negligent, it could result in a truck accident. The driver should be checked for proper qualifications and training before being allowed to drive a truck. The importance of truck driver qualifications cannot be overstated, as an unqualified driver may be unable to move or stop the vehicle quickly enough in an emergency. They also may not possess the ability to drive a truck correctly, which could result in a dangerous situation on the road.
5. Inadequate Truck Maintenance and Safety Inspection
The lack of adequate truck maintenance and safety inspections also causes truck accidents, as some drivers operate unsafe trucks that have mechanical problems or brakes that don’t work properly. These trucks can lead to hazardous situations and crash with other vehicles.
6. Driver Fatigue
Some drivers become too fatigued to drive safely, which could lead to a crash if the driver falls asleep at the wheel or becomes distracted by driving conditions. This is especially common among truck drivers who are required to make long hours of driving, and who have long routes that require them to drive for long periods at a stretch.
7. Illegal Maneuvers
Illegal maneuvers are another root cause of truck accidents. Many truck accidents occur when trucks enter an intersection, ramp, or other areas where they don’t have the right of way. If a smaller vehicle enters an intersection or ramp before a truck, the driver is likely to continue entering the intersection or ramp and collide with the smaller vehicle.
To prevent truck accidents and save lives on the road, state governments regulate the weight and size of heavy-duty trucks such as garbage trucks. They also institute safety equipment requirements for truck drivers such as seat belts, seatbacks that allow the driver to brace themselves against G-forces, and improved braking systems. Additionally, the institute safety inspections for faulty trucks and mandate the minimum levels of training necessary to drive them. Some states require the checking of logs that list the number of hours a driver has been on the road.
