Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Sadly, accidents involving large commercial semi-trucks are far too common. In 2021, there were more than 520,000 of these accidents throughout the United States, and fortunately, many of them did not result in an injury or fatality.
But some of them do result in serious injury or death, and this is devastating for the community in which they happen. In 2020, there were 65 fatal truck accidents in Kansas, according to research from Forbes. Data also shows that accidents involving a semi-truck are far more likely to be deadly than accidents that only involve passenger cars. Furthermore, the much larger size of large commercial trucks means they are far more likely to survive an accident involving a smaller passenger vehicle.
Truck accident attorneys work to hold responsible parties accountable in a damaging or deadly truck accident. These lawyers have experience with different types of truck accidents and the causes behind them. With this in mind, let’s break down the different attorney experience categories related to common causes of truck accidents.
DUI Truck Accident Lawyers
Attorneys with experience in DUI truck accidents understand the higher standards that truckers are held to when it comes to getting behind the wheel while under the influence. While the drivers of passenger vehicles in Kansas must have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of less than .08 percent, the limit for commercial truck drivers in the state is .04 percent.
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a common cause of fatal accidents because these substances slow down reaction times and impair judgment. Driving while impaired is even more dangerous if someone is behind the wheel of a semi-truck, and truck drivers are accordingly held to higher standards. They face serious consequences if they are found driving while intoxicated or under the effects of illegal drugs.
A truck driver’s first conviction for DUI results in a one-year disqualification from driving commercial vehicles and a suspension of their regular driver’s license. A second conviction results in permanent disqualification of their commercial driver’s license. If the truck driver is found to have a BAC of .08 percent or higher while driving a commercial truck, their regular driver’s license can be suspended as well.
Sadly, despite the higher standards and consequences, too many truck drivers still get behind the wheel while intoxicated, and this is one of the common causes of truck accidents. DUI Truck accident lawyers fight to hold these drivers accountable and keep our roads safe.
Reckless Driving Truck Accident Lawyers
Lawyers who have experience in accidents caused by reckless truck driving understand the dangers of this careless behavior.
Speeding is one type of reckless driving that is among the most common causes of truck accidents. It is also a common cause of accident fatalities. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA), speeding was associated with 7.3 percent of fatal truck accidents in 2020.
Large trucks require long stopping distances, and speeding makes the necessary stopping distance even greater. Excessive speed also means less time to react to unexpected objects on the road or actions from other drivers. Because of the risks associated with speeding, trucking companies actively discourage driving over the speed limit, and some companies go so far as to install governors that set a maximum speed for their trucks.
Government agencies have also taken steps to keep semi-trucks at safe speeds. In fact, some roads have different speed limits posted for semi-trucks. These limits are meant to help drivers keep their vehicles under control and to provide them with the longer stopping distance that is required by these massive moving machines.
Sometimes, a driver’s inexperience leads to reckless driving. There is a massive shortage of commercial truck drivers, and companies are desperate to get new drivers on the road. Unfortunately, this can mean pressure to put drivers on the road without adequate training. These drivers may not intend to be reckless with their actions, but their severe lack of experience can result in them making bad decisions that lead to accidents.
Along similar lines, reckless driving can also stem from driver fatigue. Commercial truck drivers are under pressure to work long hours, and although there are laws designed to prevent driver fatigue, these regulations are frequently disregarded. A large semi-truck is challenging to drive even for a well-rested driver, and tragically, far too many bad accidents occur because drivers have been on the road for far too long, to the point they become reckless in their actions.
Distracted Driving Truck Accident Lawyers
If you are eating, drinking, texting, using your hands to make a phone call, using the stereo, using a navigation system, or doing anything that requires your attention while driving, you are being distracted from the road. To be fair, taking a sip of coffee from your travel mug while your eyes are firmly locked on the road probably wouldn’t be considered distracted driving, but many drivers are spending too much time using electronic devices when they should be focused on driving.
When people talk about distracted driving, they are usually referring to texting while driving. Even if it takes just five seconds for you to send a text, a car traveling at 55 mph will travel the length of a football field during that time span. That is equivalent to driving 100 yards with your eyes closed. This very dangerous situation resulted in more than 3,500 deaths in 2021, according to the NHTSA.
Commercial truck drivers are held to a higher standard than drivers of passenger cars, but that doesn’t mean truckers aren’t guilty of distracted driving. According to data from the FMCSA, distracted driving was a factor in 82 fatal large truck crashes in 2020, representing 8.4 percent of all fatal crashes for the year.
Due to the size and weight of semi-trucks, distracted driving with these vehicles is far more dangerous than it is with passenger vehicles. Because of this, the penalties for truck drivers found guilty of distracted driving are far greater than for regular drivers. Many trucking companies actively discourage their drivers from using their cell phones and engaging in other distractions while driving.
In fact, some companies go so far as to place cameras inside the truck cab to monitor driver behavior. If an accident were to occur and one of these cameras was involved, distracted truck accident lawyers would be able to retrieve the footage and determine if the driver was indeed distracted at the time of the accident.
Poor Maintenance and Cargo Loading Truck Accident Lawyers
Mechanical problems and brake failures, in particular, are a primary contributor to large truck accidents. When a truck driver can’t break or properly control their vehicle, it puts other nearby vehicles at risk. Therefore, the trucking industry has strict standards when it comes to preventative maintenance. Regular inspections and maintenance are designed to catch problems before they become deadly. Although a lot of the focus is on brakes and tires, maintenance workers are expected to conduct a thorough inspection of all of a truck’s essential systems.
Improperly loaded cargo is another mechanical-type issue that can cause a truck accident. If cargo isn’t properly secured, it can shift suddenly during transport, causing the truck to sway or handle unexpectedly. The situation becomes even more dangerous when improperly loaded cargo spills onto the road. Spilled cargo can cause additional accidents, and hazardous materials can threaten people and property in the surrounding area.
Many poor maintenance and cargo-loading truck accident lawyers have experience with these matters. They understand these common causes of truck accidents and how to investigate them in order to determine fault.
Road Conditions and Weather Truck Accident Lawyers
Every driver and passenger on the road during bad weather conditions is at risk of harm or at least being inconvenienced. Unfortunately, truckers are under pressure to complete their routes even if weather conditions are not ideal. Icy conditions are among the most hazardous conditions for large trucks. In 2020 alone, these conditions cause more than 3,000 truck accidents and 48 fatalities, according to data from the FMCSA.
Individual truck owners may be more prone to driving in bad weather than drivers employed by truck businesses. Owner-operators have less supervision and more pressure to deliver their shipments on time.
Bad road conditions don’t just happen due to inclement weather. Construction and lack of road maintenance can also create unsafe road conditions. Coming across anything unexpected on the road is difficult enough in a passenger car, and is much more dangerous when a large truck is involved.
Not only is the truck less able to maneuver, but an accident may lead to more severe injuries. Because a semi-truck can’t easily navigate around a large pothole or chunk of debris, it will often plow right through, which can cause all kinds of problems. If an object in the road becomes airborne, anybody nearby is at risk.
Our Legal Team Has Experience with All Common Causes of Truck Accidents
At Bretz Injury Law, our attorneys have over 30 years of experience dealing with truck accidents. Our experts understand the trucking industry, best practices for operating semi-trucks, and common causes of truck accidents.
Our firm prides itself on fighting for accident victims. Unlike lawyers at other firms that mostly focus on getting a quick settlement for their clients, our attorneys aren’t afraid to go to court. We have extensive experience investigating truck companies and holding negligent parties accountable. In fact, many firms that are focused on getting quick settlements will refer cases to us when they need to go to court. If you are looking for a law firm that’s willing to go the extra mile for your case, contact us online or call 620-RESULTS today.
For a free case review, contact us now at . You can meet us at our offices, or we can meet you wherever you are.
