What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Millions of car accidents take place in the United States every year, resulting in billions of dollars in economic losses. These crashes can result in severe injuries, death, and property damage. Fortunately, they can be prevented or mitigated by using defensive driving techniques and practicing safe driving habits.
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What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
The most common causes of truck accidents are speeding, fatigue, and driver error. But there are other, less well-known factors that can contribute to a trucking crash.
Speeding
In order to get to their destinations, truckers often need to drive at high speeds. This is especially true if they are transporting an oversized load that can weigh 80,000 pounds or more. In addition, truckers are under pressure to meet their deadlines and deliver the cargo they’re responsible for.
Fatigue
Drivers can feel pressured to work long hours, and they often report feeling overwhelmed by their duties. This can lead to fatigue and sleep problems, which are two major contributors to trucking accidents.
Defensive Driving
When you’re driving a large truck, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and use the appropriate safety controls. For instance, you need to check the mirrors before changing lanes and be sure the cab is equipped with everything you need in case of emergencies.
It is also vital to be aware of road conditions and traffic. This will help you avoid being in an accident while transporting a heavy load.
Having an experienced truck accident attorney on your side can be essential to your recovery and financial stability after an accident. These lawyers will be able to provide expert evidence and negotiate with the insurance companies involved.
Alcohol & Drugs
While truck drivers and passenger vehicle operators are equally at risk of drunken driving, truckers have an added problem when it comes to alcohol consumption. A huge amount of truck drivers drink and drive, which can be dangerous for both their own safety and the passengers in passenger vehicles.
The number of fatalities in collisions between trucks and cars is far higher than the average for all vehicle types. This is partly due to the weight of the vehicles, but it also is related to how hard a vehicle must brake to stop.
Trucks are much larger than most passenger vehicles, so it is easy for a truck to hit another vehicle or pedestrian. For example, a person in a passenger car that runs into the front of an 18-wheeler can sustain life-changing injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a commercial truck, it is essential to contact an experienced truck accident attorney right away. A skilled attorney can guide you through the complicated insurance claims process and hold the truck company accountable for the injuries and damages caused.
Do Truckers Lose Their License After Accidents?
A trucking driver’s commercial driver’s license is a legal document that allows them to drive their big rigs across state lines and on international borders. However, there are certain violations that could cause them to lose their license. These offenses include reckless driving, fleeing the scene of an accident, and vehicular manslaughter.