Trucks are beasts on the road, and when they are involved in an accident, they tend to cause a lot of damage. The devastating results of these accidents make them a major concern for any road user. It is important to know the leading causes of these accidents and the right action to take as an accident victim. Here are the five most common causes of trucking accidents according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA):
Truck driving is a high-pressure job as most companies want their driver to cover longer distances in shorter periods. With fewer breaks and shorter sleep hours, driver fatigue becomes inevitable, leading to higher risks of causing accidents. Since the law requires trucking companies to limit the number of hours their drivers get to be on the road, overworked drivers amount to negligence.
Routine maintenance of trucks is mandated in law, but most trucking companies cut corners to save money. This leads to defective trucks, with the major problem being faulty breaks that make it hard for drivers to stop on time. Other problems that arise from lack of regular and professional routine maintenance are; transmission failure, worn-out tires, defective safety equipment, and defective lighting.
The good news is that truck accident investigations always bring these underlying issues to light offering victims of such negligence a ground for compensation. If you have been involved in a trucking accident, be sure to talk to a car accident attorney like Dennis Hernandez & Associates to help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve.
The sheer size of trucks makes them have large ‘no zone’ areas, especially when turning. This makes them very dangerous in blind spots as truck drivers will not have clear views of other road users. Typically, truck drivers who fail to see oncoming traffic, make wide turns crossing to other lanes, or tailgate in blind spots easily cause accidents.
Truck drivers have to undergo more rigorous training and testing before being on the road. Most trucking companies do not meet these minimum training requirements as they are more concerned with meeting driver shortages as fast as possible. Truck driver error is a serious concern as it puts other road users at great risk, regardless of how alert they are. Even if you are partially responsible for the accident, it is important to seek legal guidance to avoid suffering because of wrong decisions by trucking companies.
Driving under the influence is so common in the trucking industry. Most drivers use drugs and alcohol during their stops, and when they get back on the wheel, they have trouble remaining alert and making the right decisions. The impaired judgment makes these drivers a deadly force on the road as all it takes is a second of error, and they will cause a catastrophic accident.
Trucks need to be driven carefully as their sizes make them a great danger to everyone. If you have been involved in a truck accident, you are likely to be a victim of these mistakes, and you need competent legal representation to recover damages sustained.
