The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

While accidents are unavoidable at times, there are instances where crashes can be attributed to human error. Some accidents can be avoided if drivers take necessary safety precautions on the road. Here are some of the most causes of truck accidents that you should try to avoid.

 

Fatigue

Truck drivers usually cover long distances with very little rest in between. This is mainly caused by the truck owners who demand that drivers should deliver the goods to certain destinations within a specific period. As a result, the drivers often find themselves working under pressure, and fatigue catches up with them, which leads to accidents. Fatigue can lead to a lack of coordination, concentration, and at times, the drivers can fall asleep at the wheel.

 

Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?

Truck accidents can be complicated since they involve more than one party. Therefore, sharing liability can be challenging in such scenarios. Professional accident attorneys at https://hildasibrian.com/en/truck-accidents/ explain that victims of truck accidents are entitled to get compensation for the injuries suffered. The trucking company can be held liable if the driver causes an accident. However, victims should seek legal advice if they want to get the compensation they deserve.

 

Poor Judgment and Overspeeding

Most truck accidents are caused by poor judgment on the road. The main challenge of an eighteen-wheeler truck is that it does not stop suddenly like a light vehicle. Applying emergency brakes may not help the situation if the driver only realized later that they had made a poor judgment. Overtaking huge trucks causes oncoming vehicles to veer off the road, which leads to accidents that may be fatal in some cases.

On top of that, most traffic accidents are caused by over speeding, given that the truck owners give their drivers a time limit to reach their delivery destinations. However, due to a variety of factors like poor weather conditions and traffic congestion on the roads, it may not be possible for drivers to reach their destinations within a certain time. This forces the drivers to over speed at times to meet the deadlines for the delivery of various goods. The other challenge of over speeding is that it significantly affects the reaction time. Breaking suddenly may not be possible if the driver is traveling at high speed, and this often results in accidents.

 

Failure to Observe Traffic Rules

Traffic rules are there for a special purpose, but in most cases, many truck drivers fail to obey them. For instance, crashing chances are high if you try to overtake another vehicle in a prohibited area and only realize that there is oncoming traffic midway. The other thing that can cause an accident is driving a truck in a prohibited zone. This will distract other road users with the right to use the road, which can lead to accidents.

 

Distracted Driving

Driving for many hours can be boring at times, and this forces the drivers to find things to entertain them. In most cases, a driver is tempted to use their cell phone while on the wheel. Social media is the most common thing that distracts drivers on the road since it affects their level of concentration. The other thing that distracts drivers is changing the stereo channels or radio stations while on the road. A fraction of a second off the road can lead to an accident, and this affects most truck drivers on highways.

 

Lack of Experience

An eighteen-wheeler truck often consists of two trailers, and these trucks are often laden with heavy loads. This means that commercial truck drivers should undergo rigorous training to gain the necessary skills and experience required to drive such vehicles. However, this is not the case since you often find drivers with little experience driving trucks. Likewise, all truck owners should ensure that their drivers have the necessary experience before they drive on public roads.

 

Poorly Maintained Trucks

The law compels all truck owners to ensure that their trucks are always in perfect condition. However, some trucks are poorly maintained as a result of the costs involved, as well as the time that is involved in maintaining the trucks. Many truck owners are concerned about their business, which results in poorly maintained vehicles. Such vehicles can cause accidents as they may not be fit for the purpose.

 

Alcohol and Drugs

Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs has also been attributed to truck accidents. The use of alcohol while driving is prohibited since it impairs driving, which can lead to accidents. Even prescription drugs can contribute to accidents on the roads. Such drugs may affect a driver’s focus, and it impairs judgment and coordination, which can lead to accidents.

Accidents are inevitable in some cases, but there are also situations where crashes can be attributed to human error. There are various causes of truck accidents that can be avoided if the drivers take the necessary safety precautions on the road. For instance, fatigue is caused by overworking without quality rest, which causes accidents. This can be avoided if the employers give their drivers time to rest. Other things, such as overspeeding, distracted driving, lack of experience, and poor judgment can also be avoided.