COMMON CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Large trucks such as tankers, tractor trailers, semis or 18-wheelers are considerably bigger than the passenger vehicles with which they share the road. On major highways and at higher speeds, even small driving errors that may occur can result in catastrophe when a large truck is involved. Some common errors for large trucks that cause accidents are:
Equipment Failure
Large trucks have many moving parts. There are many different systems operating at the same time. If the equipment does not work properly It does not matter how safe the truck driver is. If one of the parts of a truck breaks down or does not function properly, the result can be catastrophic.
Possible parties who may be liable for defective equipment include the manufacturer, the installer or mechanic who made repairs, the trucking company who refurbished the part and the seller.
Driving Errors by Truck Drivers
Most truck drivers are safe drivers who understand the risks they face on the highway. However, there are truck drivers who are not operating safely. Truck accidents are commonly caused by driver fatigue, failure to follow safety guidelines, failure to properly load the truck or secure cargo, overloading and using alcohol or drugs while driving.
These things could happen due to improper training for the operation of a large truck. These drivers do not realize that operating a commercial truck is not something you can just learn while doing; specialized training is required. While drivers are required to have special licensing to drive large trucks, some may not receive adequate training for safety concerns and defensive driving.
Sometimes even the best trained drivers are put under economic pressure to violate safety regulations. In order to make ends meet as a truck driver that is paid by the mile, it may feel necessary to drive for too many hours without adequate rest. This not only endangers the driver, but other drivers and passengers on the road.
Trucking Company Policies
Unrealistic schedules and expectations imposed by trucking companies may force drivers to rush, or drive too many hours on the road. Often, the crunch brought on by tight deadlines leads to improper loading, bad working conditions, fatigue, and excessive stress. This creates a dangerous situation which can lead to fatal consequences on the road. Click here for more information about Truckers Caught in the System.