Most common causes of semi truck accidents
Per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, there are over 3,300 deadly traffic accidents and approximately 60,000 injury-related crashes each year that involve large semis. The most common causes of semi-truck accidents are as follows:
- Driving while tired – when a trucker does not get enough sleep, his or her level of alertness and cognitive abilities may be negatively affected. In this case, the victim of a trucking accident involving a fatigued driver may be able to hold both the trucker and the trucker’s employer responsible for his or her losses. According to the AAA Foundation, drowsy driving is responsible for one out of every six deadly automobile accidents. This translates into 17% of all fatal trucking crashes involve a drowsy driver.
- Driving while impaired by drugs and/or alcohol – driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is highly risky, and often leads to serious and sometimes fatal accidents.
- Truckers who operate a semi-truck at night – per the FMCSA, the time of day affects a trucker’s alertness more than the amount of hours driven. Most individuals have a normal schedule where they sleep at night and are awake during the day. According to nationwide statistics, truckers who drive at night are more likely to become drowsy and fall asleep when behind the wheel, resulting in a fatigue-related accident. Moreover, studies demonstrate that driving during the night and early in the morning are associated with higher crash rates that those pertaining to hours of sleep or off-duty.
- The improper loading of a truck – the federal government regulates the loading of semi-trucks. Keep in mind that a fully loaded 18-wheeler can weight upwards of 80,000 pounds. When a truck is not loaded property, this can cause an imbalance in the navigability of the truck, often resulting in jackknife accidents. This occurs when a cargo load shifts, throwing the truck’s trailer off balance.
- A failure to maintain one’s truck – failing to maintain a truck can have disastrous consequences. Trucking companies are required to do the following, which includes, without limitation:
- Replace the brakes
- Keep the tires appropriately inflated
- Replace worn tires
- Replace taillights and headlights
Our semi-truck accident lawsuit lawyers represent those injured or families who lost family members in truck accidents caused by negligence. We invite you to speak with us about your case and an initial consultation, so contact us at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529), or fill out our case inquiry form, or visit us in person.
