How And Why Truck Accidents Happen

Truck accidents are a serious problem on U.S. roads, leading to thousands of injuries and deaths each year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), large truck crashes were involved in over 5,000 fatalities in 2021 alone. These accidents don’t just happen—they are often the result of specific factors like driver fatigue, poor directional control, mechanical failures, and unsafe road conditions.

Understanding how and why truck accidents occur is important for drivers, trucking companies, and policymakers. From motor vehicle crashes caused by distracted driving to accidents linked to overloaded trucks, the causes are varied but preventable. In this article, we discuss the common reasons behind these crashes and what can be done to reduce the risks.

Role of Driver Behavior in Truck Accidents 

One critical factor contributing to most truck accident cases is the truck driver’s conduct. Accidents are often a consequence of various risky behaviors exhibited by drivers, which may include:

• Operating a truck beyond its physical limits
• Rapidly switching lanes
• Following other vehicles too closely
• Neglecting to use signals for lane changes or turns
• Disregarding traffic rules and standards
• Distracted truck drivers

Such actions when operating a vehicle can — and frequently do — result in dangerous circumstances.

To understand better, let’s look at three common behaviors that can turn an ordinary trip into a dangerous event: driving for long hours, which leads to tiredness, speeding along with reckless driving, and giving in to distractions while driving.

Driving Behaviors Affecting Truck Accidents

Fatigue and Long Hours

Driver fatigue is a major issue in the trucking industry, primarily because it affects truck driver’s ability to stay alert and respond quickly. Even experienced drivers often face long hours on the road, which increases the risk of accidents, especially when they push themselves to meet tight delivery deadlines despite being tired. This problem is about more than individual exhaustion. It’s also linked to broader systemic issues.

For instance, drivers are often encouraged to keep driving because their income is tied to making timely deliveries, regardless of their fatigue. This pressure can lead to more accidents, making the roads more dangerous.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Speeding and reckless driving dramatically increase the likelihood of truck accidents. Due to their size, trucks require longer stopping distances, and this distance only grows when they are moving at high speeds. This reduced stopping time limits a truck driver’s ability to respond to emergencies, quickly increasing the risk of collisions.

Dangerous behaviors, such as ignoring traffic signs, overtaking unsafely, and making risky lane changes, further compound these risks. These actions not only endanger truck drivers but also pose significant risks to drivers of passenger vehicles and other road users, often resulting in crashes that can cause serious injuries.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving encompasses any activity that detracts from a truck driver’s focus on the road. According to Forbes, this represents 8% to 9% of all deadly car accidents on U.S. roads. These include:

• Utilizing a cell phone
• Consuming food
• Reading while operating their vehicle

Engaging in these distractions can result in drivers losing control of their trucks and potentially causing collisions.

Impact of Poor Truck Maintenance

Poor truck maintenance often leads to mechanical failure, worn tires, and other equipment failures that raise the chance of truck crashes. Large truck crashes can cause serious injuries, property damage, and fatal crashes, especially when they involve passenger vehicle drivers and other vehicles. 

Even minor defects are a huge factor in motor vehicle crashes when tractor-trailers and large trucks travel at high speeds. Distracted driving or driver fatigue makes these risks even greater, and driver error in a traffic situation can turn into a crash that harms everyone involved.

Trucking companies and truck drivers should perform regular maintenance checks to avoid accidents. Skipped inspections and ignored warnings increase the odds of poor directional control or brake failure.

Challenges Faced by Inexperienced Drivers

Experience is often said to be the greatest instructor, and this adage holds particularly true in truck driving. Due to insufficient training, truck drivers new to their profession may lack proficiency in critical driving skills such as:

• Gear shifting
• Braking
• Maintaining appropriate speeds

This shortfall can lead to road accidents, with smaller passenger vehicles usually causing the most damage.

Unfortunately, some trucking companies don’t train their truck drivers enough after they get their licenses. This lack of training can increase the risk of accidents involving commercial trucks. New drivers might depend too much on trucks’ semi-autonomous features, leading to a false sense of security and less attention to driving. This can easily lead to traffic accidents.

Also, awareness among passenger vehicle drivers is essential when sharing the road with large commercial trucks, as their understanding and consideration of a truck’s operational limitations can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.

Weather Conditions and Road Hazards 

Driving a large truck can be challenging, especially in extreme weather conditions that impair safe travel, such as:

• Heavy rain
• Snowfall
• Icy roads
• Dense fog

Additionally, road hazards like unexpected potholes, scattered gravel, and unclear traffic signals increase the risk of accidents.

Accidents will likely occur if truck drivers do not manage these dangers effectively. To minimize risks on the road, truck drivers must stay alert. This includes slowing down when facing such threats, using lights properly to enhance visibility, and being prepared for sudden stops. This proactive approach helps ensure both the safety of the truck drivers and other road users.

Legal Responsibilities and Liability in Truck Accidents

Assigning fault in a truck accident is often complex. It requires thorough investigations because of the detailed regulations governing trucking and the potential for various responsible parties. To establish who is liable, evidence may need to be gathered from multiple sources, such as:

• Records of driver inspections
• Logs of company vehicle maintenance
• Assessments conducted after the accident
• Analyses by specialists
• Digital information obtained from within the commercial trucks

In an event involving a truck collision, different individuals and entities might bear responsibility. These include:

• The driver operating the truck
• Other motorists involved in the incident
• Companies managing freight transportation services
• Teams tasked with cargo loading procedures

There are instances where an employer can be considered at fault for incidents caused by their drivers if those employees were performing duties related to their employment when causing said accidents.

Importance of Seeking Legal Assistance from a Personal Injury Lawyer

Fatal crashes from truck accidents involve numerous factors. Understanding these aspects can prevent future incidents and enhance road safety. Although eliminating risks is impossible, education, stricter regulations, and increased vigilance can significantly improve safety on our roads for everyone.

After a truck accident, victims face high medical costs and financial losses. Hiring Temple Injury Law, specializing in accident cases is essential during such challenging times. Our truck accident attorneys provide comprehensive help in the claim process—from in-depth investigations and skilled negotiations to strong courtroom representation.

Schedule a consultation with us to protect victims’ rights and receive the proper compensation for damages.