It’s no secret that being in an accident on the road can cause immense damage. In fact, 35% of annual spinal cord injuries result from auto and motorcycle accidents. But some of the most deadly crashes are trucking accidents. When sharing the roads with semi trucks, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and the possibility of a crash. So to help with this, let’s explore a few common causes of trucking accidents.
Common Causes
- Poor weather: Poor weather is a common cause of auto accidents in general. But it can be especially challenging for truck drivers to drive in inclement weather. Icy or slick roads can make it difficult to stop and high winds can push the trucks around on the road. Because of this, truck drivers need to be especially careful when driving in poor weather conditions. Additionally, any passenger drivers sharing the road with truckers in poor weather should also drive extra carefully.
- Unmaintained equipment: Trucking companies have to ensure each and every one of their trucks is properly inspected, maintained, and in good working condition. If they fail to do this, unmaintained vehicles can result in equipment failure and this can lead to an accident. From worn brakes to defective parts, there are a lot of things that could go wrong due to lack of maintenance. If lack of maintenance results in an accident, a truck accident attorney will have to get involved. Proving fault in these situations can be complex because there may be multiple parties responsible.
- Driver mistakes: Truck drivers have a greater responsibility on the roads since they’re driving large vehicles. But they can make mistakes — driver fatigue, distracted driving, and reckless driving can all result in an accident. But it is important to note that truck drivers are not the only drivers who can be at fault for a truck accident. Passenger vehicles can also cause truck accidents. These drivers can also drive distracted or recklessly and can cut off truck drivers.
There is a wide variety of possible causes of trucking accidents. But whether it’s from poorly maintained equipment or a driver error, it’s important to work with a truck accident attorney if you’re involved in an accident to give you the best chance of receiving fair compensation.
