The Most Common Reasons for Truck Accidents

With truck-involved accidents mounting by 20% it is interesting to look at the main reasons why truck accidents occur.

1. Driver Error

This reason is ten times more likely to occur than any other truck accident reason. Factors which are often at the root of driver error include:

• Driver inexperience with the specific type of truck being driven
• Driver inexperience- not enough experience driving and/or driving a truck’
• Driver fatigue
• Inattention-driver focused on texting, talking on cell phone, GPS, radio, or passenger
• Distractions: things on the road or in the cab divert driver’s attention from driving
• Driver inability to react: weather conditions, other driver behavior, things flying off his or another’s vehicle may distract and driver’s reaction time isn’t quick enough.

2. Equipment Failure

This is the second most common reason for accidents involving trucks. Equipment failures may include:

• truck design and manufacturing errors
• defective tires or improperly maintained tires
• lack of reverse-detection warning devices
• mechanical issues e.g., improperly maintained brakes
• failure to perform regular inspections
• failure to maintain truck safety features causing such things as mechanical failures or worn-out tires.

3. Weather Problems

Big trucks are not easy to control in certain weather conditions. While driver inexperience with these conditions may also be a factor, the fact remains that heavy weight of the trucks and their loads, and required braking distance often are compromised by bad weather. Regardless of weather conditions, big trucks cannot stop as quickly or steer as easily as smaller vehicles in an weather. Often no matter how experienced commercial truckers are, they just don’t have the opportunity to adjust to these limitations in poor weather conditions.

4. Incorrect Loading

If a truck’s load is not safely constructed and balanced on the trailer, the load can cause the truck to tip or swerve. The load may not be properly secured. Loads that fall off in traffic are a danger to other drivers. Driver distraction caused by the load can also cause domino effect accidents involving several vehicles.

5. Bad Fit

Improper selection of a truck driver and/or a trucking company for the needs of the job is a growing cause of trucking accidents. Clients often give no thought to the best driver/company to do the job. They have goods that need to be shipped by trucks, and they simply contact a driver or company.

For more information regarding how to handle legal action regarding truck accidents call Truck Accident Lawyer today at (561) 845-2510.

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