The stress and tension brought on by the 18-wheelers and other enormous vehicles that either rush by you, encircle you, or approach you as you come to a stop in your rear-view mirror are practically unavoidable when traveling on any highway. It is conceivable that there are multiple contributing factors in any truck-related collision, and in that case, it is important to talk to your truck crash lawyer near you. According to studies comparing truck accidents, fatal truck accidents frequently have a number of contributing causes.
When driving close to trucks on the road, you should be aware of the following seven common causes of truck accidents.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Several frequently occurring causes of trucking accidents can be avoided. These consist of:
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Driver fatigue
Due to time constraints, truck drivers voluntarily exceed the 11 hours per driving stretch allowed by federal “hours-of-service” requirements as part of their daily driving schedule. Driver weariness, well-known in the industry as a contributing factor in many truck crashes, occurs when drivers remain on the road for an excessive amount of time.
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Driver oblivion
Just like everyone else, truck drivers are susceptible to the temptations of distracted driving habits like texting and talking on the phone. Although they aren’t used as frequently as they once were, most vehicles still have CB radios. Distracted driving can even include playing music to pass the time on a long drive.
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Speeding
Another significant factor in commercial vehicle collisions is speeding.
Commercial truck drivers may find it challenging to respond quickly to unforeseen circumstances when moving at high speeds, which can result in collisions. When driving at such high speeds, stopping distances must frequently be longer due to the weight of the vehicle and its cargo.
Speeding, tailgating, weaving through traffic, and making lane changes without using a turn signal are all examples of aggressive driving. These behaviors may lead to dangerous driving circumstances and raise the possibility of semi truck accidents.
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Inexperienced truck drivers
Inexperienced drivers are more likely to be influenced by accidents of any kind, but notably accidents involving commercial trucks.
Trucking businesses have recently lost a lot of their older, more seasoned drivers, who have been replaced by newer drivers who are frequently unfamiliar with operating a huge truck. These motorists may rank among the most hazardous on the road.
Younger drivers below the age of 20 were three times more likely to be involved in threatening crashes as a result of distracted driving, according to the Institute for Safer Trucking. Inexperienced drivers might not have the knowledge and training needed to deal with unforeseen circumstances on the road.
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Bad weather
Commercial truck drivers may experience dangerous driving conditions due to poor weather. Rain, snow, and ice can impair sight and make the road slippery, which raises the possibility of an accident.
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Uncarefully loaded cargo
Additionally, improperly loaded goods can result in a number of problems, such as overloaded trailers, uneven weight distribution, and cargo shifting. Accidents may result from these issues, and even worse, they may cause cargo to spill onto the road, increasing the risk to other motorists.
A crucial step in figuring out what caused the incident is identifying the right load. Additionally, there may be another defendant to take into account if another business was in charge of loading the vehicle and did it incorrectly.
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Illness
A small percentage of truck drivers suffer from a sickness or incident while operating their vehicle, such as a heart attack. This frequently leads to collisions and fatalities. Although truck drivers encounter incapacitating health problems less frequently than drivers of passenger vehicles, this is nevertheless a serious issue for truck drivers due to the harm that trucks do when they collide with passenger vehicles.
Have You Been Hurt in a Truck Accident?
If you have been hurt in a truck accident in Calgary, you should contact a qualified truck accident lawyer in Calgary right away. To arrange your free consultation, get in touch with Grover Law Firm online or give our lawyer a call.