Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

When there is a trucking accident, often times the result is severe. Any commercial truck can weigh between 40,000 to 80,000 lbs., so many truck-related accidents can cause multiple lane closures, fires, and fatalities. It is important to understand why trucking accidents continue to happen at such an outstanding rate across the United States.

Prescription Drug Use

While most people assume that DUI charges involve a driver consuming alcohol or recreational drugs, but these laws prohibit drivers from introducing any foreign substance into their bodies that can impair their ability to drive, including medications prescribed by their physicians. Prescription drug use is the top cause of trucking accidents. When a driver fails to read medication labels or disregards potential side effects, they put themselves and everyone else on the road at risk.

Driver Fatigue

Most truck drivers have to deliver products across long distances. Driving excessive hours can cause severe driver fatigue, severely affecting their alertness and reaction times to hazards on the road. This overexertion is such a common problem that there are federal regulations that specifically limit the number of hours that a commercial driver may be behind the wheel during any given day or week.

Speeding

Speeding is a contributing factor to most vehicular accidents, but when a commercial driver is maneuvering a multi-ton truck, the consequences are much more drastic.

Size and Weight of Commercial Trucks

When fully loaded, a tractor can weight around 80,000 lbs., making drivers slower to stop in an emergency. Sudden pressure on the brakes can cause a truck to jackknife or rollover, so all drivers on the road should allow for more distance when merging in front of a large truck in comparison to a sedan or an SUV. Additionally, trucks carrying large amounts of cargo can also have large blind spots that even the most advanced mirrors and modern cameras cannot compensate visibility for.

Most truck accidents are caused by the negligent action of the driver or the company by whom they are employed. If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious trucking accident, contact an attorney to find out how they can assist with getting you the compensation you deserve.