Driving a semi-truck is a tough job. These vehicles weigh more than 80,000 pounds. They are also enormous and intimidating road users who drive smaller cars.
What’s more, is that a truck accident can be catastrophic. People who get involved in these accidents may die or sustain life-changing injuries.
Unfortunately, truck accidents kill about 5000 Americans annually and Cedar City Truck Accident Lawyers are limited in supply. The question is, what causes truck accidents?
There are many reasons why commercial trucks get involved in accidents. Driver mistake is the leading cause.
When it comes to liability, drivers are not the only liable parties in truck accidents. And if you get involved in a truck accident, you might need a truck accident attorney to prove liability.
Before we delve into matters of liability and compensation, let us look at the common causes of truck accidents.
1. Fatigue
Truck driving is one of the most demanding and tiring jobs. Drivers cover hundreds of miles per day. Most of the time, they do this under pressure and over long hours.
The law stipulates the number of hours that drivers should work. However, some of them disregard the rules to beat deadlines or make more money.
If they don’t rest well, drivers can doze off while on the wheel. On a bad day, this results in a cataclysmic accident.
2. Driving Irresponsibly
A semi-truck is a delicate vehicle. It requires the driver to be extremely cautious while driving on the highway or busy streets.
Truck drivers are undoubtedly some of the most skilled drivers on the road. The problem is that some of them are neglectful.
In truck driving, carelessness can be tragic. Drivers who over speed, turn a blind eye to traffic signs, and tailgate, will end causing accidents.
3. Poor Vehicle Maintenance
The law requires truck owners to keep their trucks in good working condition. Nonetheless, some of them overlook this requirement.
Poor vehicle maintenance is another cause of trucking accidents. It is not always the mistake of the driver. Another person in a trucking company could be responsible for the maintenance.
A truck with faulty automotive parts should not be on the road. Sometimes, a truck will be running on worn-out tires. Given its heavy load, such a vehicle is a ticking bomb because a blowout can occur at any time.
Defective auto parts have grave consequences, and they are cause some of the most dreadful truck accidents.
4. Drunk Driving and Substance Abuse
A report by Reuters shows that truck drivers are prone to alcohol and drug use. This is the cause of a fraction of truck accidents. While acceptable blood alcohol levels for regular drivers are .08 %, a truck driver should have no more than .04 % blood alcohol level when driving.
Semi-trucks are enormous vehicles. Drivers are responsible for the truck, the cargo, their lives, and those of other road users.
Sadly, driving a truck over a long distance can be lonely and boring. And some drivers use drugs and alcohol to beat the boredom but and stay active.
The use of alcohol and drugs such as amphetamines impairs truck drivers’ judgment.
5. Bad Weather and Poor Road Conditions
Bad weather is another common cause of truck accidents. For instance, when it is raining heavily, truck drivers have to contend with poor visibility and other hardships. During such a time, controlling the vehicle becomes a challenge.
In tornado-prone states like Texas, the risks of severe weather-related accidents are heightened. It is crucial for truck drivers to prioritize safety by finding reliable truck parking places in cities like Houston, where they can seek shelter and minimize the dangers associated with extreme weather conditions.
A heavy downpour may cause the truck to hydroplane. This occurs when a layer of water occupies the space between the tires and the road. The vehicle loses its grip on the road and veers off in the wrong direction.
Thick fog also causes visibility issues and the fog lamps do not help much. When the driver cannot see clearly, they may ram into another vehicle and injure its occupants.
Snow makes roads slippery and difficult to navigate. The weight of the truck doesn’t make it any easier. And the chances of accidents could double.
Bad weather leads to poor road conditions. However, other factors such as road construction and confusing diversion signs lead to truck accidents.
When accidents occur in such circumstances, determining culpability becomes an uphill task. A truck accident lawyer is best suited for this kind of situation.
Sometimes, negligence could still apply. For example, maybe somebody working for the state government failed to salt the snow in good time. And the state can be held accountable.
6. Overloading and Improper Loading
Every truck has a weight limit. When a load exceeds the maximum weight capacity, the driver struggles to keep the moving vehicle in control. And this increases the chances of a trucking accident.
Overloading increases the time a truck requires to stop in case of an emergency. It also intensifies the impact during a collision. The result is a fatal accident.
Improper loading is when the loader fails to secure a load properly. Such a load can spill onto the roadway.
The other problem is weight distribution. Weight imbalances increase the chances of a truck losing control. When the driver swerves the truck, it either jackknifes or overturns.
7. Distracted Driving
Driving a truck for long hours and over a long distance can be boring. To kill the boredom, drivers engage in other activities. These include text messaging, long phone calls, and listening to music.
These activities interfere with the driver’s concentration on the road. Once their attention is drawn to a phone conversation or text message, anything can happen.
For instance, the driver may fail to see an important road sign. Also, they may over-speed unknowingly. This leads to trucking accidents.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
As you can see, there are many causes of a truck accident. If you are involved in one, you may sustain various life-changing injuries.
A truck accident injury comes with medical expenses. Victims may also lose income as they take time off to recuperate. Or even die.
A lawsuit can result in a truck accident victim’s favor. Getting compensation for your misfortune is possible.
However, you need sufficient accident to establish a formidable claim. This is not easy, especially, if many parties are involved, and none is accepting liability.
Working with a truck accident lawyer increases your chances of getting compensation. For more information on this topic, visit Curcio Law Offices.
Learn More About Truck Accidents Today
As discussed, truck accidents can happen due to drivers’ negligence or other unavoidable external factors. Accidents can result in damage to the truck, other traffic, or even property. It can also lead to injury to the driver or pedestrians.
Visit our website to learn more about truck accidents and how to claim compensations arising from them.
