Truck accidents can lead to devastating consequences due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Understanding the common causes of these accidents is essential for preventing them and ensuring safety on the roads. Understanding common causes of accidents that lead to personal injury claims is helpful, as you could be entitled to compensation with the help of a Louisville truck accident attorney. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include the following:
Driver Fatigue
Truck driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. Driving for too long without taking appropriate rest can significantly impair a truck driver’s judgment, reaction time, and focus. Research shows that it can be almost as dangerous as driving under the influence. Federal regulations exist to limit driving hours and ensure rest periods, but violations still occur, putting others at risk.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving occurs when a driver’s attention is diverted from the road by activities such as texting, eating, or adjusting a GPS device. Given the size and weight of commercial trucks, even a momentary lapse in attention can lead to severe accidents with catastrophic consequences.
Poor Maintenance
Trucks require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure they are safe to operate. Failing to address issues such as brake wear, tire damage, or defective lights can increase the likelihood of an accident. Both trucking companies and drivers share responsibility for maintaining the vehicles they use.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo
Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo can create significant hazards on the road. Uneven weight distribution can cause vehicles to tip, while excess weight may lead to tire blowouts or other mechanical failures. Strict guidelines govern cargo loading to prevent these dangers, but violations remain a common issue.
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Speeding and reckless driving are dangerous behaviors that significantly increase the risk of accidents. Truck drivers often face tight delivery schedules, which may pressure them to exceed safe speed limits. Combined with the heavy mass of trucks, this behavior can result in severe or fatal collisions.
Pressure from Employers
Truck drivers often face intense pressure from employers to meet tight delivery deadlines or cover long distances in a short period. This pressure can lead to fatigue, speeding, or the temptation to skip mandatory rest breaks, all of which compromise safety on the road. Unrealistic expectations and overburdened schedules put both the driver and other road users at significant risk.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence is a significant violation of traffic laws. When commercial truck drivers engage in this behavior, it’s incredibly dangerous and can lead to serious injuries and fatal accidents. Alcohol and drug consumption impairs coordination, judgment, and decision-making abilities, making it incredibly dangerous to operate such a large vehicle.
Blind Spots
Commercial trucks have extensive blind spots, commonly referred to as “no-zones,” which significantly limit the driver’s field of vision. These areas are located around the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle, making it difficult for drivers to detect smaller vehicles. Many drivers of smaller vehicles are unaware of the blind spots and just how big they are, and they may accidentally stay in these zones for prolonged periods. This increases the chances that a truck driver will crash into them.
Weather Conditions
Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, ice, or fog can severely impact a truck driver’s ability to operate safely. Reduced visibility, slippery roads, and unpredictable conditions require increased caution and skill. Trucks, due to their size and weight, require longer stopping distances in poor weather, making them particularly vulnerable to accidents
Third-Party Negligence
Truck accidents are not always caused by the driver or the trucking company. Negligence from other road users, such as reckless driving, failure to yield, or sudden lane changes, can lead to serious incidents. Additionally, improper road maintenance or errors by cargo loaders may also contribute to accidents.
For help with your case, reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer who can guide you through the next steps.
How a Lawyer Determines Liability in a Truck Accident
When you’re involved in a truck accident, figuring out who is responsible can feel overwhelming. A Louisville accident lawyer helps simplify this process by carefully examining the facts and identifying who may be at fault. Here’s how they do this:
Reviewing the Accident Report
The accident report completed by law enforcement is one of the first things a lawyer reviews. It often contains crucial details such as witness statements and any traffic violations. It might also include a diagram of what they believe the accident looked like. This document provides a starting point for understanding what happened and who may hold responsibility.
Examining Evidence
A lawyer will gather and review all available evidence. This includes photos of the crash scene, dashcam footage, black box data from the truck, and even skid marks on the road. Each piece of evidence helps to paint a clearer picture of the events leading to the accident.
Identifying All Potentially Responsible Parties
Truck accidents often involve more than one party. A lawyer will evaluate whether the truck driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, or even third parties like cargo loaders played a role. By examining each party’s actions, they can determine who contributed to the accident.
Consulting with Experts
When necessary, lawyers may work with experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists or mechanical engineers, to analyze complex details. These experts help explain how the accident occurred and whether negligence was involved.
Understanding State and Federal Laws
Trucking companies and drivers must follow strict state and federal regulations. A lawyer will assess whether any laws were broken, such as exceeding allowable driving hours or failing to maintain the vehicle, as this can directly impact liability.
By following these steps, a lawyer can help determine who is at fault and who you can collect damages from. For help with a truck accident claim, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our Louisville personal injury lawyers.