Common Causes of Truck Accidents

 In the United States, the legal weight for an eighteen-wheeler is 80,000 lbs, while the average passenger vehicle weighs somewhere around 5,000 pounds.  So, it is clear to see why this gross difference in weight accounts for most of the serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.  What are some of the potential causes of truck accidents?
1. Driving too fast – the length of time it takes an eighteen-wheeler to stop is generally 40 percent greater than that of a passenger vehicle.  This estimate could vary depending on the weight of load the truck is carrying, weather conditions, road conditions and whether or not the truck is bobtailing (i.e. whether the truck is being driven without an attached trailer).
2. Driving too close – sometimes, a truck driver drives too close and when that vehicle in front stops, the truck may not have sufficient distance to stop before striking the vehicle.
3. Driver fatigue – pursuant to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, truck drivers must keep logs, showing their hours of operation (driving) and their off-duty hours.  These strict guidelines, created to reduce driver fatigue or to keep them to a minimum, must be adhered to by truck drivers.  When a driver fails to adhere to these rules, fatigue may set in, making him a dangerous driver.
4. Driver error – because of the height of trucks, a truck driver may fail to see a passenger vehicle in his blind spot or see a pedestrian crossing the street.  As a result, the truck may strike another vehicle or the pedestrian.
5. Driver distraction – a truck driver can get distracted by using a cell phone, by conversing with his passenger or by being preoccupied with the radio.  These distractions can make him a danger on the road, resulting in a truck accident.
6. Driver aggression – truck drivers are on strict time schedules, especially when they are delivering perishable goods.  If a driver is running late, he tends to become more aggressive, placing others at risk.
7. Load shift – if a truck load is not tied down properly, it can shift during transport.  If that happens, the weight of the load can cause the driver to lose control of his truck, resulting in a truck accident.
For more information, please call The Mason Law Firm at 661-476-5678 or email mason@mrscvlaw.com.