Commercial truck accidents can occur as a result of a variety of factors. Whether the accident involves a rollover, jack-knifing, or override, all of these situations can happen as a result of a few common causes
The most common reasons for truck accidents include the following:
- Drive Fatigue: Truck drivers are usually paid per mile driven. If the driver is resting, he or she isn’t moving and isn’t getting paid. Trucks drivers may sometimes ignore the safety regulation for rest and drive while fatigued to earn more money. Experts compare driving while fatigued as being as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Driving While Intoxicated: Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that their operators are not impaired by any substances while behind the wheel of the trucks. Background screening, and drug and alcohol testing are the responsibility of the trucking companies.
- Inexperienced Drivers or Drivers Operating Without Proper Safety Training: Trucking companies must also ensure that their drivers are not driving without tested and proven adequate levels of experience and knowledge. Some smaller trucking companies may forego safety-training programs due to cost. Ultimately, the responsibility for proper training falls upon these companies regardless of cost.
- Moving Violations, Speeding, Failure to Yield, or Other Disregard for Public Traffic Laws: Truck drivers must adhere to all state and local traffic laws and codes. Additionally, many federal regulations apply to the trucking industry. Violations of these regulations may lead to serious accidents.
- Equipment / Mechanical Failure: Trucking companies and drivers are equally responsible for ensuring that braking systems, safety equipment, and all other mechanical components are functioning adequately and reliably. Adherence to strict safety inspections will help to minimize this cause of accidents. When companies and drivers cut corners or overlook proper safety practices, such negligence greatly increases the likelihood of mechanical failure taking place, which can cause serious injuries or death.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a publication in 2007 that cited specific analysis of the categories outlined above. Three key variables were designated for the application of assessing crash risk causes:
- Critical Event: Defined as the actions or events that placed the vehicle or vehicles on a course that made the collision unavoidable. The critical event is assigned to the vehicle or vehicles that acted in a way that made a crash unavoidable.
- Critical Reason: Defined as the immediate cause for which the critical event takes place (i.e., equipment failure, debris in the roadway, or driver fatigue which leads to the critical event). The critical reason is assigned to the vehicle, which is designated as causing the critical event in the crash. This reason may be determined to be a driver error, vehicle or mechanical failure, or environmental condition (roadway or weather).
- Associated Factors: Defined as the person, vehicle, and environmental conditions present at the time of the crash. An associated factor is not necessarily related to the critical reason, but is just noted as present or not present. The designation of any number of associated factors often provides the comprehensive details needed to recreate and understand the crash.
This type of analysis is used by investigators when a crash takes place. Insurance company experts, police investigators, and accident attorneys may all apply this method of analysis when investigating liability and causes of accidents involving trucks.
Following an accident with a large commercial truck, it is imperative the victim seek emergency medical attention. Once a victim’s health is stable, the next step is to speak to an experienced, competent truck accident attorney.
If you or a loved one has been hurt or has lost somebody due to an accident involving a truck, the analysis described above may be applied to determine the people and companies to be held accountable for damages. As a crash victim, you or your loved one has a rightful claim to compensation for:
- Lost wages
- Medical Bills
- Property Damage Costs
- Pain & Suffering
Don’t delay…the time to seek compensation for your losses is limited. Contact our attorneys to determine if you have a legitimate right to recover damages.
Call our offices today at (800) 566-0585, or simply submit your case details in our secure online case form.
