Understanding the Causes of Truck Accidents

When an accident involves a commercial truck, the aftereffects are often catastrophic. This is due to the larger size and weight of semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and other commercial trucks.

Truck drivers need to be cautious when they perform the duties of their job. However, they may not be the only ones to blame when something goes horribly wrong on the road. Protect yourself and your family by understanding the common causes of trucking accidents.

Truck Driver Fatigue

Driver errors are the most common factor in any crash, including those involving trucks. In truck accidents, driver fatigue is perhaps the biggest reason for big rigs to cause accidents.

Trucks are supposed to follow federal regulations that forbid them from driving beyond 11 hours at a time and mandate a rest period of 10 consecutive hours. That doesn’t mean all of them follow the rules. Whether the trucking company pushes them or the driver does so of their own accord, being fatigued behind the wheel of a truck can have dire consequences for accident victims.

 Distracted Driving

Truck drivers are just like other drivers, often doing other things behind the wheel when their eyes should be focused on the road. Texting, eating, reading, and other behaviors are even more dangerous while transporting a heavy load.

Speeding

Commercial trucks need more time and distance to come to a stop. When truckers speed, they have less time to react. This is why speeding is often a cited factor in truck crashes.

Improperly Loaded Cargo

When the cargo is overloaded or not loaded to distribute the weight evenly, it can cause accidents. If the cargo shifts while the truck is in motion, it may make it impossible for the driver to maintain control, causing a serious accident.

Failure of Equipment

Trucking companies sometimes cut corners to keep their fleet of vehicles on the roads. When they don’t have their trucks properly maintained, brakes and other systems can malfunction, leading to devastating accidents on the roads.

 Nasty Weather

Every trucker should be well-trained in handling their vehicles when the weather turns foul. Pouring rain, snow, sleet, and ice can reduce visibility while creating slick surfaces on the road. 

Lack of Experience or Training

There’s a great demand for goods now, which means trucking companies are desperate to get as many trucks on the road as they can. This could mean they don’t properly train or vet their drivers. Due to their lack of experience, newer truck drivers don’t have the skills to handle unexpected situations.

 Understanding Your Options After a Truck Accident

Other reasons for truck accidents often include aggressive driving, failing to obey traffic laws, or even driving under the influence. After you seek medical treatment for your injuries, you should contact Nashville truck accident lawyers.

 Truck accident cases are often very complex because they tend to have multiple at-fault parties. Trucking companies always have legal representation, making it ideal for you to secure your own legal advocate to fight for the compensation you deserve.

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