All automotive accidents are stressful and have the potential to cause serious physical and mental harm. However, those accidents that involve commercial trucks are far more likely to cause catastrophic damage. Read on to find out about some of the most common causes of accidents involving trucks and the factors that contribute to them.
1. Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving is dangerous no matter who’s engaging in this illegal and reckless practice, but it’s especially irresponsible when semi-truck drivers stop paying attention to the road. Truckers who text while driving, eat meals, reach for faraway objects, use their radios excessively, or even talk with passengers can create dangerous conditions for everyone else on the road.
In cases where those drivers are also fatigued or unfamiliar with the routes, even seemingly minor and brief distractions can lead to catastrophic accidents. Any accident victim who believes distracted driving on behalf of a trucker was to blame can visit dongaline.com to learn about legal options.
2. Negligent Maintenance
It’s not just the truck drivers, themselves, who can contribute to accidents. Most truckers work for freight transport companies. Since the employers usually provide the trucks, they’re responsible for providing maintenance and can be held accountable if negligent maintenance contributes to crashes.
Negligent maintenance can leave 18-wheelers in unroadworthy condition and drivers may not even know that when they get behind the wheel. Brake failures are the most common cause of truck crashes related to negligent maintenance, but other factors can also play a role. Burst tires, electrical problems, and unsecured cargo can all contribute to unsafe conditions and lead to truck crashes, as well.
3. Poor Road Conditions
A combination of inclement weather and poorly maintained roads can make truck crashes more likely in certain areas of the country. Unfortunately, trucking companies’ pay-per-mile pay structures and poor management often encourage drivers to stay behind the wheel even when poor road conditions would otherwise convince them to stop driving.
Ice, rain, and especially high winds can all impact semi-trucks just as much as passenger cars, if not more so, and poorly maintained roads that haven’t been salted, have many large potholes, or are poorly lit can also play a role. It can be hard to tell who’s responsible for accidents caused by poor road conditions, but a lawyer can help accident victims determine fault.
4. Lack of Adequate Training
Freight carriers are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to perform specific background checks on truck drivers to ensure that they will be capable of handling their big-rigs safely. Unfortunately, there has been a shortage of qualified truck drivers in recent years, which has led many companies to hire inexperienced drivers without proper training. The hiring war occurring in the trucking industry is no excuse for putting drivers who aren’t adequately trained behind the wheel.
5. The Snowball Effect
More often than not, truck accidents are caused not by a single factor but by a multitude of problems. It’s also often the case that more than one party can be held liable for a truck crash. If, for example, improper maintenance leads to a mechanical failure while a truck is on the road, a driver who is distracted, fatigued, or under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs will have slower reflexes and be less likely to avoid a crash.
Hire a Lawyer to Sort Out the Details
Determining liability in truck accidents can be incredibly hard. Truck accident lawyers are familiar with this complex field and can help clients figure out even complicated situations and hold the responsible parties accountable.
