What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents are devastating and often lead to serious injury or even death. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, you will no doubt be asking yourself why it happened. It’s the same question that anyone would have after such a trauma.

Unfortunately, the truth about these terrible accidents is that most of them are entirely preventable. During the last 20 years, the rate of truck crashes has increased by more than 20 percent, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. More than 5,000 people are killed each year in car accidents with trucks, and another 130,000 are injured.

Four Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Understanding what leads to most truck accidents may help prevent some of these tragedies. Listed below are four of the most common causes of accidents involving large trucks:

• Driver Error – Truck drivers are tasked with driving across the country for days on end. There are regulations barring them from driving too many hours in a row, but not everyone follows these rules. Drowsy driving is a common cause of truck driver error, and can lead to deadly crashes.
• Equipment Failure – The trucking company and the driver are responsible for making sure that the rig is safe to be on the road with other drivers and vehicles. If the rig inspection is not done properly and a truck with a defective part causes a crash leading to injury, then the company and/or driver could be held liable for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses related to that injury.
• Poor Weather – Driving in poor weather is dangerous for any driver, but especially for those operating a massive tractor trailer. Low visibility and lack of traction may lead to an accident. Sometimes, trucking companies offer incentives to get drivers on the road even if it’s safer for them to wait.
• Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is a serious issue among drivers of all vehicles, but when a truck driver becomes distracted, the results may be catastrophic. Trucking companies and their drivers could be held responsible for injuries caused by any activity that distracts the driver’s attention away from safe driving.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. The truck accident lawyers with Stevenson & Murray can help you get the compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.