The Common Causes Of Truck Accidents

Motor vehicle crashes can be a terrifying experience for both the responsible party and the victims, especially due to the potential for serious injuries or even fatalities.

While all accidents are alarming, truck accidents tend to be more dangerous and often result in higher rates of fatalities and severe injuries compared to collisions between smaller vehicles or motorcycles.

This increased risk is due to several factors, including the sheer weight of trucks compared to other vehicles, their longer stopping distances, and the challenges truck drivers face when contending with difficult driving conditions. These elements significantly raise the likelihood of fatal crashes.

Although truck accidents are more dangerous and often deadlier, the causes of these accidents are often similar to other types of collisions, with the primary difference being the severity of the outcomes due to the truck's size and force of impact.

In this post, we’ll explore the common causes of truck accidents and the types of injuries that victims typically suffer as a result of these high-impact crashes - along with the role a skilled attorney plays in representation for truck accidents.

Table of Contents

1. Causes of Truck Accidents

2. What To Do After a Truck Accident

3. Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Atlanta

Causes Of Truck Accidents

Aside from potential issues such as cargo discrepancies, improperly secured trailers, or adverse weather conditions, most truck collisions occur primarily due to driver error.

Whether it involves a truck driver failing to pay attention or disregarding basic traffic laws, these accidents are often attributed to human error. This can involve mistakes made by the truck driver or errors on the part of other road users.

Here are some common reasons why the trucking industry experiences a high number of accidents:

Distracted Driving

Any activity that diverts a driver's attention from the road, especially if it requires both hands or full focus, is considered distracted driving.

A common cause of distracted driving accidents is texting while driving. However, truck drivers can become distracted in several ways.

Texting while driving is a type of cognitive distraction, where the driver’s attention shifts from the road to the task at hand, affecting their ability to concentrate on driving.

Visual distractions occur when a driver takes their eyes off the road to look at something other than the road ahead.

Manual distractions happen when a driver removes their hands from the steering wheel to engage in activities that require using their hands.

Speeding And Aggressive Driving

Many truck accident victims might feel pressured to ignore traffic laws, believing it will help them meet tight delivery schedules. Some may even prefer to avoid smaller vehicles on the road to drive without interference.

Regardless of the reason, speeding is a frequent cause of truck accidents. Excessive speed can lead to truck rollovers and brake failures due to mechanical stress, which increases the risk of collisions involving both trucks and other vehicles.

Additionally, poor road and weather conditions can exacerbate the situation. In such conditions, a truck might lose control and potentially collide with other vehicles.

Inadequate Training And Cargo Loading

Every trucking company must ensure that drivers receive sufficient training and experience on the road before they begin making long-haul trips across the country. Drivers need to be thoroughly trained in everything from handling challenging road conditions to properly loading cargo.

In addition to prioritizing training, companies must also conduct regular inspections of both the trucks and their cargo to identify any potential maintenance issues that could arise during a trip.

Fatigue

This is one of the most common reasons road users get into accidents with trucks.

While truck driving is a demanding career, there are strict rules and regulations that all drivers must follow to prevent accidents and avoid potential lawsuits.

For example, after being off duty for 10 consecutive hours, drivers are legally allowed to drive for up to 11 hours before they must take another break. However, some drivers may ignore these laws due to pressure to reach their destination on time - or even ahead of schedule - but this compromises safety.

What To Do After A Truck Accident

While being in a truck accident can be a traumatic experience, it's important to take the necessary steps to move forward with your claim. These steps are straightforward but can become time-consuming if not addressed promptly. After a truck accident, you should:

Call the police: Report the accident to the authorities as soon as possible to ensure an official report is filed.

Seek immediate medical attention: After speaking with the police, get medical care for any injuries, even if they seem minor.

Document the accident scene: Document the accident scene by capturing photos, videos, and audio. The evidence will be crucial for supporting your claim.

Gather witness contact information: Speak with anyone who witnessed the accident and collect their names and statements. Their testimony can be vital to your case.

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Atlanta

Understanding common truck accident injuries and their treatments is key to both restoring your health and determining the value of your personal injury case.

At The Law Offices of Julian Lewis Sanders & Associates, we prioritize your well-being and are committed to supporting you through this difficult time.

Our experienced truck accident attorneys in Georgia are here to listen to your story, understand your needs, and act quickly to secure the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us guide you through the complexities of your case and fight for your rights.