The Common Causes of Truck Accidents:
What You Need to Know

Overview of the Frequency of Truck Accidents

The Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents in the United States. Driver fatigue is physical and mental exhaustion common in commercial truck drivers who spend long hours behind the wheel.

Fatigue impairs the driver’s judgment, reaction time, alertness, and concentration. This increases the risk of crashes involving large trucks.

The federal government has established hours-of-service regulations to ensure the safety of commercial truck drivers and other road users. These regulations limit the time commercial truck drivers can drive and work without taking breaks or resting periods. Here are some of the rules that apply to property-carrying drivers:

• They can drive for 11 hours following a rest of 10 consecutive hours.

• They cannot drive more than 14 hours after they start working following a rest of 10 consecutive hours.

• They have to take a break for 30 minutes after an 8-hour shift.

• They cannot drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 days in a row. They can reset their shift after a 34-hour rest or more.

These regulations help reduce fatigued driving and promote road safety. However, some trucking companies and drivers may violate these rules or falsify their records. This can lead to many truck accidents that cause severe injuries and fatalities to passenger car drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is doing anything that takes your attention away from the road while driving.

This can include:

• Texting

• Making phone calls

• Eating

• Drinking

• Adjusting the radio

• Looking at a map

Distracted driving can be dangerous for commercial truck drivers operating large, heavy vehicles like a semi-truck. Rollovers are a common result of distracted driving as well as head-on collisions.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Regular vehicle maintenance is crucial for road safety and accident prevention. Neglecting it can lead to various dangers. Neglecting maintenance increases the risk of accidents due to brake failures, engine issues, or tire blowouts.

Mechanical Malfunction

When a truck has a mechanical problem, it can become problematic for the driver to control the vehicle. The truck may also lose some parts that can fly off and hit other motor vehicles or cause serious accidents.

Overloading and Improper Cargo Loading

Trucks that have too much or wrong cargo can easily tip over because they are unstable and have trouble making turns or changing lanes. Sometimes, when a truck makes a sharp turn and the cargo is heavier on that side, the truck can roll over, possibly leading to a chain of secondary accidents.

Weather Conditions

Weather conditions can affect truck accidents in many ways. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration reports that weather is responsible for 21% of accidents.

Some of the weather factors that can cause truck accidents are:

• Rain

• Snow

• Ice

• Hail

• Sleet

• Fog

• Extreme heat or cold

• Strong winds

These factors can make roads slippery, reduce visibility, and damage the truck parts. They can also make the truck hard to control.

Driving Under the Influence

Many truck drivers, including experienced drivers, use drugs or alcohol while driving, which can cause fatal accidents. Drugs and alcohol impair the driver’s judgment and ability to react on time to sudden changes or unexpected road hazards.

The Other Driver

Contrary to popular belief, commercial trucks aren’t always to blame for accidents. Drivers of passenger vehicles or motorcycles can cause a trucking accident when they don’t adhere to traffic laws or violate other laws. A passenger vehicle driver who runs a red light and bumps into a truck will likely be found fully at fault for the accident if the truck driver didn’t violate any laws.

Check out these safe driving practices every truck driver should follow.

What Happens After a Truck Accident?