Causes of Truck Accidents

We’ve previously written about truck accidents and how the truck’s cargo can actually contribute to, or even directly cause, an accident. Cargo is an important factor in accidents, and those who have been injured in a truck accident should never overlook this critical component of the story.

But what are some other common contributors, or even causes, of truck accidents?

Obviously, truck drivers aren’t always at fault. Sometimes other passenger vehicles drive in blind spots of the truck, or they brake suddenly after changing into the truck’s lane, causing the trucker to swerve and possibly jackknife. Motorists need to give large trucks, commercial trucks, semi-trucks hauling hazardous materials,and other commercial vehicles the respect they deserve. These commercial truck drivers normally do everything in their power to follow the laws of the road as well as the guidelines set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA.

However, there are plenty of circumstances that make the truck driver or truck company culpable when a trucking accident occurs. Some common causes of truck accidents to consider:

• The driver is human, and humans make mistakes. So maybe the driver was intoxicated? Or was the driver too tired and fell asleep at the wheel due to long hours? Distracted driving can be just as deadly and drunk driving. Not following the speed limit or adjusting their driving style to accommodate weather conditions or road conditions are all instances of potential negligence. If that is the case, then you would want to look at the rest laws and if the truck driver and/or his or her trucking company followed them.
• What about the commercial vehicle itself? Was the big rig in proper working order? Did the truck company perform routine maintenance on the semi-truck and tractor-trailer? Was the truck driver aware of any mechanical issues with the vehicle that could lead to truck crashes from tire blowouts or bad brakes?
• There are also systemic problems with the trucking industry that may reward rushed drivers or drivers that maintain unrealistic schedules. This can contribute to a truck accident as well from long hours on the road. The FMCSA and the NHTSA have guidelines around how commercial trucks should behave on the road.

Truck Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

There are many reasons that truck accidents occur. When they do, it is best for the victims and their families to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

The immense weight of semi-truck, or big rig, can be as much as 30,000 lbs UNLOADED – that’s nearly six times as much as a normal passenger car, which means when there is a trucking accident the potential for serious injuries is much higher.

Whenever you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident you should seek legal advice so you know your rights, and that becomes all the more important the more serious your injuries are from the truck accident. Working with a law firm that has experienced truck accident attorneys, can help ensure you get the fair compensation you deserve for your serious injuries.

You shouldn’t have to fight the insurance companies alone. The number of hours spent on the phone trying to get coverage for required medical treatment, property damage amounts and other things that need to be addressed from a serious accident can be astronomical. When you work with one of our personal injury attorneys you can rest easier knowing you have a law firm behind you with years of experience in dealing with insurance companies, and how they operate.

Whenever a smaller vehicle is in an accident with a larger vehicle there is a chance for tragedy. When that smaller vehicle is an average passenger car and the larger vehicle is a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, the chances for significant damages, even wrongful death, are much higher.

Call the truck accident attorneys at Peddicord & Townsend LLC, a Kansas City area law firm with years of experience in injury crashes. Call today to schedule a free consultation.