Trucking is still the predominate method of transporting goods across the United States. In fact, there are more than 15 million trucks on the road, responsible for transporting nearly 70% of all U.S. freight.
With so many trucks driving side by side with other types of vehicles, truck accidents are inevitable. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is tasked with setting safety standards and regulations for truck drivers; however, things sometimes go wrong and accidents still happen.
The lawyers at Pope & Howard, P.C., are extremely experienced with truck accident law in Georgia, and have represented numerous victims in truck accident cases, Here, the team explains the most common causes of trucking accidents.
The most common cause of trucking accidents is driver error. In fact, of all the causes of trucking accidents, driver error is ten times more likely to be the cause of the crash than any other factor, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Nearly a quarter of all accidents involved a speeding truck. Unfortunately, truck drivers may rush to meet tight deadlines, causing them to speed in order to race against time.
Thirteen percent of trucking accidents due to driver error were caused – at least in part – by driver fatigue. The restrictions on the number of hours a truck driver can work in a given week set by the FMSCA has recently been suspended by federal regulators. These regulations were originally set to help reduce driver fatigue.
Aggressive driving, unsafe lane changing, negligent driving, substance abuse and distracted driving are all risky behaviors that can lead to trucking accidents.
Following driver error, truck equipment failure is the second most common cause of trucking accidents.
Equipment failures may occur because of manufacturing errors like defective tires or failure to provide reverse detection warning devices. Accidents may also occur from not properly maintaining the truck’s brakes or tires.
The FMSCA has set rules and regulations for pre-trip inspections and regular maintenance on trucks throughout the year, however, these regulations are often ignored. Unfortunately, neglecting regular truck maintenance and disregarding typical inspections can result in a tragic outcome.
Adverse weather conditions have a major impact on the safety of large cargo trucks. Since trucks are so heavy, their braking distance is often increased in bad weather. If a truck needs to make a quick stop in heavy rain or snow, it can be extremely difficult or impossible. Failure to accommodate to weather changes and road conditions leads to a number of trucking accidents per year.
You may not realize it, but there is a science to loading a truck. When a truck’s load is not safely configured, it can cause an imbalance. This load imbalance can cause the truck to malfunction when moving. The truck can tumble over when it would otherwise remain upright if the cargo weight is not distributed properly. This can cause severe and catastrophic mishaps when on the road.
With so many different causes of trucking accidents, it’s almost impossible to prevent an occurrence. If you have experienced a truck accident, pursuing your case in court may seem daunting. That’s where the professional truck accident attorneys at Pope & Howard, P.C. come in.
Our team understands the complex nature of truck accidents. We’ll guide you through the entire process, explaining your legal rights. The truck accident attorneys at Pope & Howard, P.C., have helped hundreds of victims recover the compensation they deserved. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.