What Are the Causes of Truck Accidents

For years, it has been widely accepted by the National Transportation Safety Board (or NTSB) that driver fatigue – an entirely preventable condition – is the leading cause of truck-related accidents. Often incentivized by trucking companies to cut delivery times down by foregoing necessary sleep, drivers are left with greatly diminished ability to operate machinery, and substantially greater probability of falling asleep. In addition to fatigue, sleeping disorders and conditions such as sleep apnea may significantly impair a driver’s abilities and their chances of falling asleep at the wheel. On top of all of this, to maintain the fastest delivery times, truck operators have been known to rely on narcotics and prescription medications to assist them in staying awake. However, the side effects of these drugs can result in impaired driving and occasional accidents.

National Transportation Safety Board – Recognized Accident Causes

With so many potential contributing factors that may be responsible for a trucking accident, it is important to understand the underlying cause of your incident. Our attorneys are highly skilled in the analysis of National Transportation Safety Board recognized truck accident causes, such as:

Insufficient Driver Training: May result in a collision based on a new truck operator’s lack of exposure to driving hazards when a commercial company does not take the time to sufficiently train and educate them to uphold the highest safety measures on the road.
Driver Fatigue: Creates a volatile situation when you combine drowsiness and nodding off at the wheel in a massive piece of machinery traveling at high speeds.
Excessive Speeding: Lessens a driver’s reaction time to respond to road hazards and other drivers.
Overloaded Trucks: May create an unstable load that is more prone to roll over accidents
Brake Failure: Makes it difficult or impossible to slow a heavy load safely, potentially resulting in a serious accident.
Poor Driving Conditions such as a Snow and Ice: May cause large truck and trailer rigs to slide out of control, careening off of embankments or into other vehicles.
Inexperienced Drivers: May result in a collision based on a new truck operator’s lack of exposure to driving hazards when a commercial company does not take the time to sufficiently train and educate them to uphold the highest safety measures on the road.
Failure to Follow Posted Traffic Signage: Creates dangerous driving situations such as ignoring “one way” indications that may result in collisions with oncoming traffic.
Driving Under the Influence of an Illegal Substance: Is highly illegal and responsible for the severe impairment of judgment and ability to safely operate machinery.
Reckless Driving: While operating a large truck and trailer is unsafe for the driver and other motorists based on the sheer size and mass of the rig.
Aggressive Driving: While operating a large truck and trailer is unsafe for the driver and other motorists based on the sheer size and mass of the rig.
Defective Parts and Equipment: May result in a malfunctioning of the truck and trailer, such as a tire blow out that can cause a truck to roll over based on it being rendered unstable.
Insufficient Truck Maintenance or Mechanical Failure: May cause the truck to become unstable, removing the integrity of its foundation and functionality.
Impaired Vision from Night Driving: Makes it difficult for drivers to recognize potential road hazards and conditions

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, contact Dejban Law either electronically or by phone so that we can determine if you have a case and if we can represent you.