Let’s talk numbers;
- In 2021, 5,788 people lost their lives as a result of truck accidents. This is a 17% increase from the previous year
- Trucks account for 9% of all motor vehicle accidents
- Texas leads the country in the number of truck accident fatalities
- A total of 76,180 people suffered injuries due to truck accidents
- These statistics mentioned above are very scary. Another fact you should know is that most of the truck accident fatalities are caused by the other car driver or passenger. It means you are in danger unless you are a truck driver.
It is important to know the actions you need to take following an accident. This information can come in handy in times of crisis. Speak with one of the truck accident lawyers from DJC Law or other reputed firms to learn what to do after an accident.
Why do truck accidents happen?
Have you ever wondered why truck accidents happen? Well, the simple answer is negligence.
Someone being negligent in their job is the reason for truck accidents. However, there is more to it. Here are the common reasons why truck accidents happen:
- Truck driver negligence
- Trucking company negligence
- Inexperienced drivers
- Improper loading of cargo
- Defective parts
- Improper maintenance
- Truck driver negligence
Truck driver negligence is the most common reason for truck accidents. Their negligence has many forms, such as:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Violating hours of service rules
- Sleep-deprived driving
A truck is difficult to maneuver. Driving a truck requires the complete focus of the driver. Even a slight distraction can lead to catastrophic accidents.
Trucking company negligence
People always tend to blame truck drivers for accidents. In reality, trucking companies are the actual villains.
Like all corporate companies, the primary goal of these trucking companies is to make a profit.
They make a profit by making more trips and moving more cargo. To do that, the management forces the drivers to violate the hours of service rules. They give incentives based on the number of trips to indirectly make them violate these rules.
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Inexperienced drivers
This happens due to negligence on the part of the HR team. They hire inexperienced drivers to fill the position.
As said, driving a truck is difficult and requires a lot of skill. An inexperienced driver will not know what to do when forced to make sudden decisions.
If the company wants to hire inexperienced drivers, then at the very least, they should give them proper training before sending them out on the road.
Improper loading of cargo
The cargo in the truck can cause accidents if it is not loaded properly. The cargo should be loaded in a particular way to achieve a balanced weight distribution.
Improper loading and overloading can cause the truck to swerve. This is a pretty common reason for jackknife accidents.
Defective parts
Defective parts are one of the most common reasons for all types of road accidents. Defects in the steering wheel or tires can cause catastrophic accidents.
The hard to maneuver truck will become impossible to maneuver due to defects in truck parts.
Product manufacturers should check and ensure the quality of the product before selling it. Victims can hold the manufacturers accountable for these types of accidents.
Improper maintenance
Improper maintenance can lead to product defects. Trucks should undergo routine maintenance to avoid surprises.
The mechanic team that recently worked on the truck can be held liable if they did not fix a certain issue or didn’t inform the driver about any future problems that may arise.
Final thoughts
Knowledge about truck accidents is important to avoid accidents and deal with the aftermath of an accident. Learning what to do after an accident can help you increase your chances of winning fair compensation.