Driving is an essential part of life when living in North America. The roads are packed with other drivers making daily commutes and running errands, and freeways are filled with semi-trucks delivering long-haul cargo. It’s a matter of time before an accident happens, as more than six million car accidents occur each year in the United States of America alone.
Being injured or involved in a truck accident is traumatic. It’s worse if you don’t have a truck accident lawyer representing your interests. The odds are that you don’t know how to navigate the truck accident claims process or identify the common causes of truck accidents.
The good news is that you’ve found the perfect guide to truck accident cases to learn the frequent causes of truck accidents and truck driver injuries. Keep reading to learn more today! If you’d like to know more about smash repairs be sure to check out Sheen Group.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a significant cause of truck accidents in the United States. Truck drivers work demanding hours to meet delivery deadlines, resulting in drivers pushing themselves too far. Laws are in place to require drivers to get a specified amount of rest, but that rest goes out the window when they’re running behind schedule.
Some drivers ignore these laws and fight through their fatigue. It increases the likelihood of a dangerous accident and significant truck driver injuries. Sharing the road with a fatigued truck driver is a risk most drivers wouldn’t take.
Driving While Intoxicated
DWIs are frequent among daily drivers nationwide, but this issue is common among truck drivers. The standards for intoxication are much stricter for commercial driver’s licenses. Most states require truck drivers to keep their BAC below 0.04 percent to stay within the law.
You can use your truck accident lawyer and this evidence to win your truck accident claims and receive the settlement you deserve. Take steps to find the best truck accident attorney to represent your case and compile evidence on your behalf.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is another cause of truck accidents, and they occur when truck drivers drive at high speeds without regard for the road conditions or the other vehicles around them. Ignoring traffic signals is another aspect of reckless driving that you should look out for.
Truck drivers might also pass you on a two-lane road or tailgate you as you travel to your destination. Document these occurrences if you file a claim against the trucking company after you’re involved in a trucking accident.
Distracted Driving
One of the worst plagues with drivers in North America is distracted driving. You’ll find more distractions than ever in 2023, and you don’t need to look hard to find numerous distracted drivers on your daily commute. Many people are texting and driving or watching videos on their smartphones when behind the wheel.
Getting distracted by a phone or the music playing in your vehicle is easy. Truck drivers have both those temptations along with several radios required for their job duties. These distractions are among the most notable causes of truck accidents.
Vehicle Maintenance
The trucking company is responsible to its drivers and the private citizens on the roads of North America to maintain its trucking fleet. Poor maintenance results in dangerous situations for everyone on the road. Putting off maintenance in the name of saving money is negligence.
Worn tires are a common reason behind trucking accidents. These tires could explode and send heavy pieces of rubber into the path of other vehicles. They could also shatter windshields and damage property.
The fault for a trucking accident from lack of maintenance could fall on the truck driver. You’re not liable for an accident if it occurs from poor vehicle maintenance by the trucking company. Your truck accident lawyer will help you negotiate a settlement to cover your expenses.
Inadequate Cargo Loading
The loading process for cargo is more intense than many think, and a poor load can result in dangerous accidents and truck driver injuries. An improper load will result in a trailer that is unbalanced, making turns more dangerous for the driver and other vehicles on the road.
The truck can also tip over if too much weight is loaded on one side of the trailer. It’s possible that the truck driver is responsible, but most truck accident cases with loading issues result from the trucking company or a third-party company. Finding out who is liable for the accident is much easier with the help of a seasoned lawyer.
Road Conditions
Road conditions are another factor worth considering after you’ve been in a truck accident. Trucks are heavy and powerful vehicles, but they’re not the greatest for poor road conditions after rain or snowstorms. Heavy rain often produces slick loads, which is dangerous if a fully-loaded truck needs to come to a halt.
Some truck accident cases that result from bad weather get chalked up as an “act of God”, but it’s possible that the truck driver is responsible for driving at too high a speed in bad weather. Simple issues like a delay in salting a road before an ice or snow storm are another cause behind truck accidents.
Poor Driver Training
Driving a semi-truck for a living is a massive responsibility. It’s vital that drivers receive the best training before hitting the road. Drivers who lack training are not responsible for the truck accidents they cause. The fault for these truck accidents falls at the doorstep of the driving trainer at the trucking company.
A driver lacking training won’t be aware of their lack of skills and knowledge. A trucking company that puts this driver behind the wheel of a semi-truck is negligent.
Find the Right Truck Accident Lawyer for Your Case
Getting help after a truck accident is essential to receive the settlement you deserve for your property damage and injuries. A truck accident lawyer will help you prove that negligence and liability lie at the doorstep of the trucking company. Distracted driving and fatigue are both common causes of truck accidents that can be prevented.
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