If you are involved in a collision with a commercial truck, chances are your injuries will be serious. Because legislators and other government officials understand the risks associated with truck accidents, truckers and trucking companies face substantial regulation, most of it designed to protect other motorists. Nonetheless, nearly 4,000 people died on America’s roadways in 2015 as a result of commercial truck crashes, and less than one in five of the people who died were truck drivers. Here are the most common causes of truck accidents.
Driver Fatigue
Drivers are typically paid according to the number of miles they are on the road—the more miles, the more money they make, so there’s an incentive to drive long hours without a break. Accordingly, state and federal regulations limit the number of hours a truck driver can consecutively be on the road, as well as the number of hours over a specific number of days. Drivers are supposed to keep logs, but many falsify those reports or fail to report the total number of hours on the road.
Driving Under the Influence
Though some drivers will drink and get behind the wheel of a big rig, it’s more common for drivers to take amphetamines or other drugs to help keep them awake and alert on the road. These drugs can often impair their judgment, leading to accidents.
Failure to Maintain a Commercial Truck
Drivers are also supposed to maintain accurate maintenance logs, but time spent maintaining an 18-wheeler is time spent off the road. Maintenance logs can also be fabricated.
Driver Error
Many accidents are caused when drivers are unfamiliar with the road on which they are traveling, either traveling at too high a rate of speed, failing to obey traffic signals, or making inappropriate lane changes.
Contact Our Office Today
Don’t wait another day—evidence may be lost! Your first consultation is free of charge. Contact us by e-mail or call us at 856-667-4666 / 856-600-HURT to schedule an appointment. Evening and weekend meetings can be arranged upon request. We’ll come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.
We handle all construction site injury claims on a contingency basis. You won’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your losses.
