Commercial trucks are large compared to other vehicles. When involved in an accident, the results are mostly fatal and deadly, causing so much damage and fatalities. There are different types of trucks, including tow trucks, tractors, cement mixers, care carriers, tanker trucks, and garbage trucks.
According to research, there has been an increase of about 53% in truck accidents from 2021 to 2022. More than 4671 people were killed in the United States alone in crashes involving truck accidents, while an additional 3289 people were killed by trucks and other vehicles.
Because of this, trucks stand as a major contributor to accidents on the roads.
After these statistics, one may be afraid to embark on road trips. However, it is more important to understand the major causes of truck accidents.
Below, we have highlighted a few of the common causes that result in such fatal results:
Overspeeding
Overspeeding on vehicles is a deadly cause and most people have never learned to care about the same. Regardless of efforts by major truck companies to use speed trackers or speed limiters on their vehicles, not every company or truck driver has the technology.
Since trucks are larger than other vehicles, speeding becomes more dangerous for both the truck driver and other passenger vehicles.
Trucks react slowly to immediate changes such as emergency breaks because of their length and the momentum it has built over time.
As a result, the truck driver loses control in such a situation, demanding an emergency reaction.
Therefore, speeding is reckless and shows signs of negligence. While stringent rules have been put to control overspeeding, anyone caught doing so should be highly punished.
Driving Distractions
Just like overspeeding, distractions are dangerous and considered reckless. Distracted driving has caused so many accidents, especially involving trucks.
When a driver takes their eyes off the road to focus on either their phones, sleep while driving, or do something that will distract their attention to what’s ahead of them, he/ she puts a lot of people and property at risk of damage and death.
Aggressive Driving
Truck drivers cover long distances and spend many hours on the road and could be under so much pressure and stress to deliver what they are carrying on time.
Typically, under duress and pressure to make their deliveries, they are prone to aggressive driving. If, in any case, they fail to lead the right way, trail on another person’s path, and cut them off it could lead to a serious accident and even hurt them.
Despite the high pressure, it is advisable to drive carefully and maintain the recommended speed to avoid such accidents. A truck accident attorney in Philadelphia PA would advise you against aggressive driving because it can get quite difficult to unhook from the shackles of law.
Fatigue Driving
There are rules and regulations set to discourage tired drivers from driving and taking some time off to relieve their bodies.
No commercial driver is allowed to drive for more than 11 hours nonstop. They must take some break in between and can also not drive for more than 70 hours in a single week.
There are many rules to help regulate the road system, but not every company instills the same effort because of their selfish reasons for keeping a schedule, company culture, or individual goals.
Overloading
Large cargo trucks can cause accidents in many ways, including tire blowouts or failed breaks. It can also top over during a turn or a slight change of lane because of too much load.
If the load slips a little, it can be hazardous to other motorists as the truck makes a swerve, obstructing others.
Nonetheless, all these causes of truck accidents can be prevented or avoided if the rules and regulations put in place are strictly followed.
Such causes are reckless driving, overload, overspeeding, and destruction of fatigue are avoidable causes. Regardless of our schedules, truck drivers must be vigilant and careful not to cause accidents that risk their lives and that of other motorists.