Reasons Causing Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are the most fatal of all road accidents. Because trucks are usually big and long, it is the people in the smaller vehicles who are at the receiving end of these accidents. If you are the victim of a truck accident, make sure that your legal rights are protected. Most importantly, because truck companies are highly regulated by both state and federal law, a truck accident can easily become a complicated legal issue. The best thing for you to do is to get in touch with an experienced truck accident lawyer who is familiar with all of these regulations.

Here are some of the most common reasons why truck accidents occur:

Bad Weather

Bad weather is the biggest challenge truck drivers face on the road. It is true that truck drivers are trained to drive safely in all kinds of weather, and to know when they should stop driving if safety is compromised. However, as drivers are usually on a tight schedule to meet commercial demands, they may tend to disregard safety measures. They are worried about losing their jobs if they fail to meet the demands of their clients or employers. Therefore, they sometimes end up making bad decisions. But no matter what the situation is, if you or someone you know is a victim of a truck accident, make sure you contact a lawyer right away.

Overload

When a truck is overloaded, it is difficult for the driver to stop the vehicle, which makes it more vulnerable to accidents. Despite all the regulations relating to this issue, accidents involving overloaded trucks continue to occur. Afterward, a ‘blame game’ usually ensues concerning the overloading situation among drivers, truck companies, truck loading companies and weight stop officials. All this can complicate the process of getting a fair compensation for your injuries. This is why, as a victim of a truck accident, you need to obtain the services of a competent lawyer.

Driver Fatigue

Truck driver fatigue accidents usually occur because of three reasons: lack of sufficient sleep, long shifts and sheer exhaustion from a long-term pattern of sleeplessness. There is an irony in the driver fatigue phenomenon. If the drivers follow federal regulations and get enough sleep, it could cost them their jobs, which require them to make their deliveries quickly. Most truck drivers, therefore, don’t hesitate to risk an accident to protect their jobs.

Blind Spots

Trucks are generally bulky, heavy and long compared to cars and motorcycles, which are significantly smaller in size. This is sometimes why truck drivers fail to notice people and vehicles near their trucks – a factor that can easily lead to accidents.

Poor Maintenance

Many drivers and truck companies delay replacement and repair of their trucks because these measures cost them money and slow down their business. In the meantime, their poorly maintained trucks can potentially create chaos on the roads.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 104,000 people were injured in large truck accidents in one year alone.