10 Common Causes of Truck Accidents

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10 Common Causes of Truck Accidents

By Steven Jensen
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September 14, 2022
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10-common-causes-of-truck-accidents

Thousands of people die in truck accidents yearly, and thousands more result in serious injuries. But why do large trucks crash? What are the common causes of truck accidents? We often see a lot of confusion about the different causes of truck accidents. So today, let us look at the 10 most common causes of truck accidents.

#1: Driving Fatigue

There is often pressure on truck drivers to work long hours. Some truck drivers don’t care that the law says they must take a certain number of breaks. Sharing the road with a truck driver asleep at the wheel is probably the most dangerous thing.

#2: Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is dangerous, illegal, and irresponsible. Because of the size of a truck, this is especially true. When truck drivers text or take their eyes off the road for a few minutes, they can cause thousands of dollars worth of property damage and, worst, multiple deaths.

#3: Intoxicated Driving

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) specifies that the blood-alcohol content (BAC) limit for commercially licensed drivers is 0.04%, which is half of the BAC limit of 0.08% for all other drivers. The law prohibits truck drivers from consuming alcohol within 4 hours of operating a commercial vehicle for their trucking company. They cannot drink while on duty. Driving under the influence is a felony regardless of the circumstances, and it can severely affect everyone on the road.

#4: Reckless Driving

Too often, drivers take their road safety for granted. A truck accident can result from reckless driving. Every time a truck driver gets behind the wheel, they can operate the vehicle recklessly or cautiously. Poor driving habits like over speeding can result in truck accidents for truck drivers and passenger car drivers.

#5: Poor Vehicle Maintenance

poor-vehicle-maintenance

Large trucks, such as tractor trailers and delivery trucks, can cause significant damage to passenger cars due to their size and weight. They need to be in good condition for road safety. The law says truck drivers and trucking companies must keep their vehicles in good condition. A truck needs regular care. Drivers should fix problems before the truck returns to the roads. Truck accidents that result in serious injuries can be caused by broken equipment.

#6: Inclement Weather Conditions

Ice, snow, rain, smoke, and fog are all potential hazards to safe movement and can reduce tire traction. Trucks may slip into other lanes, guardrails, or off the road. Tractor trailers can jackknife, crash, sideswipe another passenger vehicle, or drive into oncoming traffic when attempting to prevent a slide. These scenarios can result in fatal crashes all at once. Reduced visibility caused by smoke or fog is also highly harmful. Truckers with poor visibility may sideswipe or crash into other objects, such as road markings, signs, and vehicles fade from view.

#7: Poor Cargo Loading

When a truck is poorly loaded, the cargo may fall into the road at high speeds or even cause truck rollovers. Sometimes it’s up to the driver to load the cargo, but sometimes to the trucking company or even a third party. But the truck driver should at least look over the shipment.

#8: Road Hazards

One of the most common causes of trucking accidents is unexpected road hazards. Issues with the road cause one-third of all crashes involving large trucks. These issues can range from potholes to missing maintenance hole covers to poor signage. These hazards can cause your truck to swerve, skid, and roll over, leading to severe injury and even death. To reduce the risk of injury and death, truck drivers must be on the lookout for these hazards and avoid them as much as possible.

#9: Lack of Proper Training

A truck driver who didn’t undergo tests or training or is inexperienced is likelier to make mistakes and endanger other drivers. Poorly trained commercial truck drivers may not realize how dangerous some driving actions are. These include distracted driving, fatigued driving, and not inspecting the semi-truck before leaving.

#10: Negligent Hiring Practices

Negligent hiring practices on the part of trucking companies include neglecting to conduct enough background checks, failing to contact references and more.

Crash Injuries Often Related to Truck Accidents

Here are some of the most common truck accident injuries:

Injuries to the back and neck

Back and neck injuries are the most common accidents in crashes involving large trucks. They range from mild neck pain to disc dislocation. Almost all movements include the neck and back. These types of injuries necessitate long-term pain management and psychological treatment.

Spinal Cord Injuries

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Spinal injuries are distinct that they are unnoticeable immediately. Medical evaluation and treatment following a car accident, particularly trucking, are critical. Spinal injuries are not uncommon to cause ongoing mobility difficulties. They can cause paralysis in some cases.

Whiplash

Whiplash causes soft tissue injury in the neck. It happens when the head is suddenly thrust forward in the accident and comes to a standstill. Whiplash can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe, including:

  • Neck pain and loss of sensation;
  • Numbness in the arms and upper body;
  • Upper body aches and discomfort; and
  • A restriction in the neck’s range of motion.

Burns

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Burns are another significant injury that can result from truck accidents. Because a truck is larger than a passenger car, it causes more damage in collisions and a higher chance of fuel tank explosion.

As a result, a fire may spread and consume the truck or neighboring passenger vehicles. Then, passengers of these vehicles, especially truck drivers, may receive severe burns. Victims may need intensive medical care and a lengthy hospital stay, depending on the severity of the burn wounds.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries are another type of truck accident injury that can be fatal. Even while airbags are designed to protect you, they can cause blunt force injuries to your abdominal region if the force applied is too great.

The accident can harm your internal organs, such as the bladder, liver, spleen, lungs, pancreas, and kidneys. Internal bleeding comes from any vessel or organ and can be fatal and difficult to detect early. Internal bleeding requires immediate attention.

Bone Fractures

Consider how much massive truck accidents cause more severe injuries and fractures. When a huge truck runs you over, any of the 206 bones in your body can be cracked or broken.

Amputations

A truck accident can result in amputation or disfigurement. Amputations are most common in major truck accidents when the passenger vehicle crushes during the crash. You will need continuous medical treatment and adaptive devices such as prostheses to walk or use your arms if you have a deformity.

Lacerations, abrasions, and bruises

You may assume someone was fortunate since they suffered only minor injuries and bruises due to a truck collision. Although bruises and cuts are less dangerous than other injuries, they necessitate medical attention and can result in chronic harm and scarring.

Multiple cuts and wounds can be inflicted by broken glass, jagged metal, or unsecured things within your vehicle that become airborne during a crash. A cut can leave a disfiguring scar or cause a potentially fatal infection.

Establishing Liability in Truck Accident Cases

establishing-liabilities-in-a-truck-accident-cases

Establishing fault in truck accidents can be more complex than in a simple car-to-car collision. After an accident, several parties may be held legally accountable for the harm and other losses (referred to as “damages”) suffered by a victim, including:

  • The truck driver;
  • The owner of the truck or trailer;
  • The cargo loader;
  • The truck manufacturer or parts manufacturer; or even
  • A local authority or contractor in charge of designing or maintaining a highway.

Making multiple claims could help you increase your compensation if several parties could be held accountable for a truck accident.

Truck accident attorneys at Parker + McConkie can help you identify the liable parties in your case and hold them accountable. A lawyer may undertake all the following, allowing you to focus on your or a loved one’s rehabilitation. Our attorneys will:

  • Investigate and gather evidence, such as police reports, photographic evidence, and witness statements.
  • Compile any injury-related medical bills, costs, and proof of loss.
  • Identify accountable parties and insurers.
  • Negotiate a deal with insurance companies.
  • Take the matter to court if the insurer refuses to settle.

Damages Available in Truck Accident Cases

If you are the victim of a big-rig accident, you may be entitled to the following compensation:

  • Economic Damages: Medical care and rehabilitation expenditures, as well as lost wages and earning ability, are all examples of economic damages. Property and car damage include goods in your vehicle, such as electronics or prescription glasses, when the collision happened.
  • Non-economic Damages: You may also be able to seek compensation for your pain and suffering, mental anguish, deformity, or loss of enjoyment of life.
  • Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are monetary penalties imposed on a carrier or other party who acts in bad faith, such as dishonesty or carelessness.

The compensation you may be eligible to get is determined by the unique circumstances of your case as well as some other variables such as:

  • The severity of your injuries;
  • Your medical costs; and
  • The quality of the evidence you’ve gathered to support your claim.

Speak With an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

truck-accident-lawyer

Know that if you have been injured in a truck accident and need legal advice, we can help. Because of our dedication to providing outstanding legal representation and over 40 years of experience successfully handling cases, Parker + McConkie personal injury lawyers are confident that we can help you win your case. You won’t pay us until we win a settlement or trial. Call us at (801) 708-0029 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you.

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