Because of their size, commercial trucks pose unique risks to other vehicles on the road. It is a simple matter of physics; when a large object like a truck collides with a much smaller object like a car, the smaller object is going to have more damage.
For the most part, the issues that cause car accidents can also cause truck accidents:
- Driver Fatigue: Exhaustion impairs driver performance; when tired, we are less able to process information and respond more slowly to changing circumstances. This is problematic for any driver. For truck drivers who are expected to deliver goods at particular times, though, the incentives to drive while tired are often stronger than they might be for other drivers.
- Distracted Driving: Much like any other driver, when truck drivers are not paying attention to the road they are more likely to cause accidents. According to a study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, truck drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely than non-texting truck drivers to be involved in a truck accident or nearly miss being in a truck accident. Although federal regulations prohibit commercial truck drivers from texting while driving, not all drivers follow these regulations.
- Dangerous Vehicles: Tractor-trailers and other large trucks are subject to stringent safety regulations, aimed at reducing the risk of truck accidents. When trucks do not meet these safety regulations or are not properly maintained, the consequences can be deadly. Among other things, a truck may have problems if it is too heavy, if the load is improperly secured, if the tires or brakes are defective, or if the vehicle does not have proper lighting.
- Dangerous Road Conditions: When the roads are bad, most people try to limit their driving. However, truck drivers may have stronger incentives than others to drive through dangerous conditions, in the interest of arriving at their final destinations as expected.
- However, the potential consequences of the risky behaviors are aggravated by the size and speed of tractor-trailers. When a truck collides with a car, those in the cars often face much of the damage and many of the injuries.
Those harmed because of a truck driver's negligence do not have to deal with the consequences alone. If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. A lawyer can help you evaluate your potential legal claims and determine the best way to proceed, given your particular circumstances.
