Operating an 80,000-pound big rig is no easy task. Truck drivers encounter various road hazards and driving challenges that passenger motorists rarely face. As a result, truck accidents are often complex events with multiple contributing factors. By understanding some of the most common causes of truck accidents, you can help avoid collision-prone situations when sharing the road with these massive vehicles.
Driver Error
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Large Truck Crash Causation Study, driver error contributed to 87% of serious truck crashes. The agency examined 120,000 truck collisions between 2001-2003 and identified four types of driver errors that led to accidents:
Non-Performance: The truck driver fell asleep, was impaired, or was physically incapable of driving safely for some reason. This includes trucker fatigue from driving long hours without adequate rest breaks.
Recognition: The trucker did not notice hazardous road conditions, traffic patterns, or other vehicles properly. This could occur from distraction or inadequate surveillance of the road.
Decision: The truck driver made an incorrect choice when operating the vehicle, such as driving too fast, following other cars too closely, or misjudging the speed of other drivers. Excessive speeding in a big rig greatly reduces a trucker’s ability to slow down or stop quickly to avoid a crash.
Performance: The trucker panicked and overreacted behind the wheel or lacked the necessary skill to safely operate the truck. Insufficient training and experience driving a tractor-trailer combination can lead to poor performance.
Driver Fatigue
Drowsy driving is a major factor in many truck crashes. Truck drivers are allowed a limited number of service hours per day and week under FMCSA Hours of Service regulations before they must take a mandatory rest period. However, some truckers falsify their logbooks to drive longer hours to meet delivery schedules. Driving while fatigued significantly slows reaction times and impairs judgment just like drunk driving.
Distracted Driving
Truckers face multiple potential distractions inside their cab, including cell phones, onboard computers, GPS navigation systems, radios, and more. Texting while driving an 80,000-pound truck is extremely dangerous. Reaching for a device or looking away from the road for even a few seconds can result in a serious crash with injuries.
Speeding
Excessive speed is a major factor in truck accidents. Large trucks take much longer to slow down and stop compared to smaller passenger vehicles. Speeding reduces a truck driver’s ability to avoid a crash and makes accidents more violent. Trucks should reduce speed for hazardous conditions like rain, fog, and traffic.
Improper Maintenance
This is another of the most common causes of truck accidents. Lack of proper maintenance leads to catastrophic mechanical failures in some truck crashes. Defective brakes, bald tires, and problems with lights or steering can cause a truck to lose control. The FMCSA requires thorough pre-trip inspections and regular maintenance.
Negligent trucking companies and drivers who fail to properly service their vehicles can be liable for crashes due to equipment failure.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents: Wrapping Up
While driver error is the most common cause, truck accidents are often the result of multiple factors. Passenger vehicle drivers should use caution around big rigs and help mitigate crash risks. However, if a trucker’s negligent actions caused your crash injuries, an experienced truck accident attorney can help you pursue maximum compensation.
