Truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and enormous financial losses. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), over 500,000 truck crashes occur in the United States every year. Due to their large size, collisions involving semi-trucks often lead to significantly more severe outcomes than standard passenger vehicle crashes. If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision with a commercial truck, understanding the common causes of truck accidents can help you build a case and get the compensation you deserve.
This article outlines the 10 leading reasons for truck crashes so accident victims and their families can better understand what went wrong and determine if the truck driver, carrier company, manufacturer or other parties should be held accountable—for this, you’ll also need the help of a reputable Los Angeles truck accident lawyer.
Lack of Driver Experience or Training
Inadequate driver experience and training are major factors in many truck crashes. Operating a semi-truck is complicated and different from driving a personal car. Trucking companies are responsible for properly training new drivers under federal and state regulations. Failure to provide sufficient experience behind the wheel before allowing solo operations has been implicated in multiple wrecks caused by inability to control the large vehicle appropriately. Negligent companies may put profits over safety by rushing and inadequately preparing new drivers. Lack of skill may slow response times in dangerous road conditions.
Fatigue or Driver Impairment
Extreme fatigue can render truck drivers unable to respond quickly enough to avoid collisions. Drowsy or impaired driving also leads to a much higher crash risk. Trucking companies may demand overly aggressive driving or delivery schedules that do not allow for adequate breaks or rest between shifts. The FMCSA has strict limitations on shift duration for commercial drivers to help prevent fatigue issues. Unfortunately, some carriers illegally coerce their drivers into exceeding these hourly restrictions. Any truck accident involving an impaired driver due to exhaustion, illness, prescription medications, or illegal substances should be thoroughly investigated for negligence.
Speeding or Aggressive Driving
Unsafe speeding is a widespread problem with commercial trucks. Exceeding posted speed limits decreases the ability to slow down or stop quickly when necessary. Some trucking companies even institute bonus pay structures based on fast delivery times, incentivizing their drivers to speed dangerously. Truck crashes involving excessive velocity often result in extensive injuries and vehicle damage due to the high kinetic energy involved. Surviving victims and families of those killed by speeding trucks deserve significant compensation.
Distracted Driving
Truckers face heavy distractions on today’s roadways including mobile devices and in-cab technology that diverts attention from driving. Eating, drinking, reading/writing, personal grooming, or attending to children or pets can also divert focus. The driver may fail to notice stopped traffic ahead or commit other errors leading to severe collisions. Distracted truck crashes are preventable incidents that warrant considerable damages for any resulting harm.
Poor Maintenance
Equipment failures cause or contribute to many semi-truck accidents. Unlike standard passenger vehicles, commercial trucks involve extensive mechanical components with high wear and tear. Lack of proper inspection, repair and replacement of worn parts is an unfortunately common issue that should infuriate accident victims. Brake, steering, lighting, or tire problems can quickly lead to loss of control. Companies must follow strict federal/state maintenance regulations and standards to ensure the safe operating condition of their fleet. Crash victims should always investigate inspection records and mechanic work orders for any history suggesting negligent maintenance.
Cargo Loading Errors
Unbalanced or shifting cargo loads increase the risk of rollover and alter vehicle handling. Trucking companies must properly distribute weight and secure cargo contents per federal regulations. Overloading trucks beyond weight limits or containment capacity is dangerous and illegal but still attempted by some carriers trying to maximize each haul. Unsecured cargo can also spill onto roadways, striking nearby vehicles unexpectedly. Victims injured or killed by improperly loaded semi-trucks deserve maximum damages.
Lane Change/Merge Errors
Semi-trucks require much more space and distance to switch lanes or merge than typical vehicles. Their extensive length combined with common blind spots increases the risk of striking adjacent cars during position changes. Truck drivers must take extra precautions before attempting lane variations or they risk catastrophe. Merge collisions also frequently occur when the long front end of a truck prevents the driver from seeing other close vehicles. Car drivers should avoid lingering beside trucks when possible. Any lane change or merge accident warrants an investigation into driver negligence.
Jackknife or Rollover Incidents
Trucks are prone to jackknife (diagonal folding of cab/trailer) or rollover incidents which often block multiple lanes and strike additional vehicles. These arise from sudden steering changes or maneuvers during slippery conditions, uneven road surfaces, or high crosswinds. Such events certainly warrant large monetary damages due to extensive threat to life and property. Rollovers may also indicate cargo load imbalance issues or suspension/steering component failures that require further investigation.
Rear-End Collisions
Like other vehicles, truck tailgating at unsafe distances commonly causes rear-end crashes during sudden stops. However, commercial trucks need much more room to decelerate than typical cars due to their weight. Unfortunately, truck drivers misjudge following distances frequently due to challenging line-of-sight over the front hood. Victims deserve compensation for medical bills, lost income, vehicle/property damage and pain/suffering no matter what vehicle is at fault.
Blind Spot Accidents
Semi-trucks have much larger blind spots around the vehicle than personal cars. Adjacent cars can easily disappear from view or blend into a mirror pillar/edge, especially smaller vehicles like motorcycles. Drivers must check blind spots before changing lanes or turning but still cause numerous sideswipe accidents and intersection collisions due to inadequate monitoring. Even side guards, convex mirrors and cameras cannot fully compensate for extensive truck blind zones. Car drivers should avoid lingering in blind spots when possible. Any collision warrants investigation into whether the design increases hazard unreasonably compared to the utility.
No matter what factors caused your truck crash, the aftermath may bring devastating injuries, emotional trauma, lost income and massive bills. Contact an experienced vehicle accident lawyer in your state to discuss your legal options.
A truck accident lawyer from Karns & Karns Truck Accident Attorneys can help reconstruct what went wrong, collect evidence establishing fault and build a case ensuring you receive full and fair compensation. Every victim deserves justice and financial means to facilitate recovery, replacement of damaged property and stability moving forward. Do not leave settlement or court award amounts to chance – enlist strong legal advocates immediately after any truck wreck. With a top Los Angeles truck wreck lawyer from Karns & Karns Truck Accident Attorneys in your corner, you can make those responsible pay maximum damages so your life returns to normal again soon.
