Truck Accident Lawyer

Approximately 74% of fatal passenger vehicle accidents involved a semi-truck. These statistics relating to truck accidents lead many to wonder how these types of accidents can be avoided. 

If you want to do your part in accident prevention, you need to understand what causes trucking accidents. Continue reading to learn what leads to truck accidents, how to prevent them, and what to do if you are involved in a wreck. Our truck accident lawyer is experienced in truck accident cases and can help you in the event of a crash. 

1. Speeding

One of the leading causes of truck accidents in the United States is speeding. A speeding truck is even more dangerous than a passenger vehicle due to its size and weight.

It’s much more difficult for these vehicles to stop, slow down, or change direction. This means that it’s difficult to avoid colliding with another vehicle or to make a correction as a result of poor road conditions. 

2. Fatigue

Fatigue is another common cause of trucking accidents. This occurs for multiple reasons, including long hours, inadequate sleep, and long stretches of highway. 

While truck drivers are required to follow certain rules, including how long they can drive in a period, these rules are not always followed. Some may bend or break the rules to meet deadlines or due to their employers applying pressure to make multiple deliveries in a shorter period of time.

3. Distracted Driving

Distraction can easily lead to a truck crash and the need for a truck accident lawyer. When drivers spend most of their day on the highway, they may get bored and try to entertain themselves to stay awake.

They may scan through different radio stations, snack on some food, or turn to their smartphones to keep them entertained. They may also become distracted while trying to navigate adverse weather conditions or unknown roadways. 

4. Operator Error

While many truck drivers do their best to drive safely, operator error still occurs and can lead to a truck accident. This can also come from drivers not taking proper precautions due to carelessness or complacency.

Examples of operator error include not checking their blind spots before merging into another lane or turning at a crosswalk. Other areas of operator error are driving recklessly with overloaded cargo or trying to navigate through road construction instead of taking an alternate route. 

5. Aggression

The combination of long hours, fatigue, and boredom can easily lead a commercial truck driver to aggressive driving. Some may be frustrated from schedule delays or stressed about making their delivery deadlines. Or, they may be irritated from being on the road for an extended period of time.

Acts of aggression include cutting another driver off, swerving, tailgating, and more. The limited maneuverability of large trucks makes truck accidents more likely. 

6. Weather

All of the common causes of truck accidents become more severe when combined with poor weather conditions. Because some drivers try to follow a strict schedule, even in inclement weather, they end up pushing themselves through dangerous driving conditions. 

7. Equipment Failure

Equipment failure can happen on any vehicle, but it’s a much more serious issue in large trucks due to the damage they can cause. Brake failures and tire blowouts are among the most common examples of equipment failure on trucks.

While truckers are supposed to perform a pre-departure check of their truck, that doesn’t mean that duties get overlooked or neglected. 

Truck Accident Prevention

If you want to stay safe on the road, it’s important to learn about truck accident prevention. While some problems are a result of driver error, there are steps both drivers in smaller motor vehicles and truckers can take to decrease the number of truck accidents.

What Passenger Cars Can Do

Passenger cars can take steps to improve driving safety for themselves and truck drivers. As a driver, you have options to avoid a truck crash, even if the problem is related to the other driver.

Offer More Space

One of the best things you can do in terms of truck accident prevention is to give a truck plenty of space. Whether you’re following, passing, or leading, always give them more space than you think they need.

Unlike passenger cars, trucks have blind spots directly in front of and behind them. This is in addition to the large blind spots on either side. Learn where these blind spots are so you can avoid them. 

Be Predictable

A lot of trucking accidents are caused by driver error or misunderstanding another driver’s intentions. Make sure that you are as predictable as possible with your intentions while driving, especially near a truck.

If you plan to pass, make sure to leave the right amount of space, take time to signal, and don’t linger in the blind spots. Making slow, decisive movements will communicate your intentions better to the truck driver.

What Truck Drivers Can Do

Truck drivers are typically the most trained drivers and require a special license to operate a big-rig or 18 wheeler. That means they have a greater responsibility in maintaining safety while driving. Steps they should take to prevent accidents include the following.

Always Do a Pre-Check

Drivers are required to perform a pre-trip inspection of their trailers before every departure. These checks help identify any potential issues with the rig and the cargo. They need to be done once every 24 hours and shouldn’t be skipped. 

Follow the Rules

Truck drivers operate under different rules than other drivers for a reason. If you want to do your part in accident prevention, follow the regulations for hours of service to avoid a truck crash. 

When to Call a Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a truck crash, you should contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. A truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the often confusing legal system and ensure you receive just compensation.

It’s not uncommon for victims of car accidents to miss out on receiving compensation for these types of accidents. Understanding the laws about truck companies and liability in these incidents is difficult and complex. A truck accident lawyer can take care of this for you.

Truck accidents occur every day and can result in serious damage and/or injury. Learning about truck accident prevention and what to do if you find yourself a victim of a truck crash can make the process slightly less overwhelming. If you’re in need of a truck accident lawyer, contact us today to request a free consultation.