Companies across the country depend upon semi-trucks to deliver goods and merchandise. But sharing the road with these enormous vehicles can be intimidating.
In 2017, the reported number of truck-related accidents approximated 450,000. Of those reported incidents, 23% resulted in injury. While driving safe reduces your risk of a crash, getting into a truck accident could be out of your control. Some of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents fall on the truck driver and the nature of their job.
1. Fatigue
Semi-truck drivers spend hours on the road and can cross thousands of miles just in a single trip. But sitting too long can cause fatigue in a driver. If a truck driver doesn’t take a break, especially during long journeys, they may lose focus. This can result in missing traffic signs and signals.
2. Tight turn-around times
Sometimes, truck companies may impose unrealistic time-frames on the drivers who work for them. As a result, truck drivers might feel pressured to fulfill these expectations on time. They may speed or commit other traffic infractions to get the job done.
Truck drivers may also turn down sleep to finish their job on time. However, without enough sleep, a truck driver runs the risk of dozing or falling asleep at the wheel. They may veer into the neighboring lane or fail to change their speed in slower traffic areas.
3. Negligent truck-driving technique
The sheer size of semi-trucks can make them a major hazard to other drivers. If a driver’s techniques become lazy or careless, they increase the risk of causing an accident.
This can include neglecting to check their blind spots, changing lanes and taking turns too quickly, speeding or not providing an appropriate cushion of space between other cars. Because of their length, semi-trucks are less likely to see smaller vehicles and more likely to roll or delay while making quick maneuvers.
4. Improper inspection
Trucks need careful inspection before they embark on long journeys. If a truck driver fails to properly prepare their truck for a long journey it can cause problems for the vehicle. Break failures and tire defects are common hazardous malfunctions that may result from improper vehicle inspection.
Truck accidents can have devastating results. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck-related accident, consult with a personal injury attorney who can help you get the care you need.
