The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Trucking companies are not held liable in the same way that vehicle drivers are which is why accident victims turn to a truck accident attorney residents trust to help them receive the compensation they deserve. When you drive your car on the highway, you do so at your own risk, knowing that you could get into an accident with another driver and suffer losses from damage to your car, injuries to yourself and even death. This isn’t the case when trucks are involved in an accident. According to our friends at David & Philpot, P.L., below are the most common causes of accidents and how you can avoid them to stay safe on the road.

Fatigue

Drivers have a responsibility to get enough rest to avoid driving drowsy. Tired drivers are more likely to take risks and make mistakes that could result in an accident. Fatigue can also lead to slower reaction time and reduced ability to focus on the road. As a result, fatigue is one of the most common causes of truck accidents.

Distracted Driving

Driving while distracted is the most common cause of all accidents — not just truck accidents. Cell phones, coffee cups, passengers, and more can all distract drivers and lead to an accident. One solution is to turn off your cell phone when you are driving and pull over if you need to talk on it. Even passenger conversations can be distracting, so it’s best to keep them short when driving. In addition, always use a designated driver if possible; if not possible, lay out plans before going out for a drink so that you have a place to stay or someone to pick you up so that you are not driving while under the influence.

Speeding

Driving a truck at a high rate of speed — specifically a higher rate of speed than the speed limit — increases your chances of an accident. Why? Trucks are much larger than cars and their longer stopping distances require drivers to slow down so they don’t rear-end another car or person. Speeding is never recommended, especially when driving a truck.

No Seatbelt

It is every driver’s responsibility to wear their seatbelt at all times, but this is especially important for large vehicles. When a driver is not wearing their seatbelt, they are not only putting themselves in danger, but they are also putting other drivers on the road in danger as well. In the event of an accident where there is a lot of movement involved, the driver who doesn’t have their seatbelt on will be thrown around and can get seriously injured or killed.

Following Too Closely

Truck accidents often occur when one vehicle is following too closely behind the truck. This can be avoided by maintaining a safe following distance and obeying traffic laws. The driver should also never attempt to pass a truck, even if the driver has room in front of it, because it is difficult for the other driver to see what’s going on ahead. If you are a truck driver, do not follow vehicles closely as your stopping time is greater than a smaller vehicle’s.

If you have been in an accident, contact a truck accident attorney immediately for help.