No truck accident article is complete without some statistics. So, here are a few.
- 2021 saw 5,700 fatal large truck accidents
- There were 117,300 large truck accidents that caused injuries in 2021
- The total number of truck injury crashes has increased by 15% since 2016
- 72% of truck accident fatalities are occupants of other vehicles
- 6.7% of large truck accidents involved drunk drivers
These five statistics alone tell how serious truck accidents are. What’s worse is that the ones most affected by the accident are the occupants of the vehicles with which the truck collides. Innocent lives are being affected for no fault of theirs. Suppose you’ve sustained injuries. Then, it is necessary to get in touch with a truck accident attorney.
So why do truck accidents happen? This article talks about four of the most common reasons for truck accidents. A bit of knowledge about the topic will go a long way toward avoiding truck accidents. Read on to find out more.
4 Major Reasons for Truck Accidents
Given below are the four reasons for truck accidents to happen.
- Driver errors
- Poor truck maintenance
- Poor cargo loading
- Environmental conditions
Driver Errors
Most often than not, truck drivers are the liable parties when it comes to truck accidents.
It is a fact that truck driving is a tough and stressful job. In addition to handling the challenges on the road, truck drivers also have to deal with administrative challenges like meeting deadlines and finding the best route.
Then there’s the deal with payment. Since drivers are paid by the mile, they often resort to unsafe methods like
- Driving at high speeds
- Not taking sufficient breaks
- Not driving according to the weather
- Aggressive driving
Drivers who exhibit the above-mentioned methods have a high probability of ending up in crashes.
There is also a category of drivers who multitask while driving. They’re often busy on their phones or prefer to multitask when they drive. These actions considerably increase the risk of accidents.
When talking about driver errors, you cannot ignore DUI. Sharing the road with an intoxicated truck driver is like standing inside a crumbling building. It’s only a matter of time before everything comes down.
Another lesser talked aspect of driver error is fatigued driving. In order to meet deadlines, truck drivers often operate their trucks for extended hours without breaks. This lack of rest reflects on their driving, with drivers dozing off behind the wheel or resorting to abusing illegal substances to stay awake.
Poor Truck Maintenance
A truck has lots of moving parts. These parts need regular maintenance, without which, like all other automobiles, they are bound to fail.
One or more parts failing when the truck is in operation might be fatal to the occupants of the truck. The damage done increases tenfold if the truck is carrying flammable or toxic cargo.
It is the responsibility of the truck owner to ensure that the truck is in ideal condition when transporting cargo. If the truck is part of a fleet, then the trucking company will be held liable for accidents that happen due to poor maintenance.
Poor Cargo Loading
The cargo that trucks carry has a role to play in accidents. It is the duty of the cargo loaders to make sure that the truck is safely and securely loaded. Overloaded trucks are difficult to maneuver. The trucks may sway around, increasing the chances of falling to one side.
An accident due to poor cargo loading becomes particularly catastrophic if the truck is carrying toxic cargo. It may impact the nearby eco system, in addition to other motorists.
Environmental Conditions
Driving in harsh weather is a skill. Unfortunately, this is not a skill that all truck drivers possess. The early morning fog often blinds truck drivers, greatly affecting visibility.
Then there’s rain. Water on the roads reduces traction considerably. This makes trucks harder to control and greatly increases the chances of trucks running off the road.
Final Thoughts
Truck accidents are a nightmare. The chances of serious injuries are exceptionally high, when taking into account the truck’s size and the speed at which it travels.
Truck accident victims and the survivors of the ones who lost their lives must stay strong and fight for their rights. A truck accident lawyer will offer assistance in this. The lawyer will provide the guidance necessary to make sure victims get just compensation for their losses.
