When a truck accident occurs, people want to know why it happened — especially the victims of the accident. Was the driver sleepy? Was there something wrong with the truck in the first place? Did some other factor contribute to the unfortunate wreck?
The truth is that any one of these factors, or a combination of them, could be involved in a truck accident. There are also plenty of other factors that could contribute to a truck accident.
Driver error is a common cause of truck accidents. The driver could have been fatigued and, as such, the driver and even the truck company could be in violation laws about required rest breaks that apply to the trucking industry. It is also possible that the truck driver wasn’t properly trained, or that the driver simply operated the truck in an unsafe, reckless or otherwise negligent manner.
Another common cause of truck accidents is another vehicle. People often drive in precarious positions near trucks, and that makes it difficult for the truck driver to know where other vehicles are. If you drive in the blind spot of trucks, or if you merge in front of trucks and cause a quick change in speeds, then an accident could happen.
The cargo of the truck, and even the truck itself, can be the cause of an accident. If the cargo is improperly loaded, or if the truck is carrying too much cargo, then it can make the vehicle unstable and, thus, lead to an accident (most likely where the trailer topples over). Another example is maintenance: If the truck was not properly maintained and something mechanically was wrong, an accident could result.
Victims in truck accidents could be drivers of other vehicles, truck drivers themselves, pedestrians and cyclists, and other employees of trucking or shipping companies. Because the results of truck accidents can be so catastrophic, it is important for anyone working, walking or driving near a big rig to take common sense precautions to stay safe.
Source: FindLaw, “Common Causes of Truck Accidents,” Accessed Nov. 12, 2015