Common Causes of Truck Accidents

The disproportionate size of large trucks can be extremely hazardous for the occupants of passenger vehicles in the event of an accident. Tractor trailer, big rig, and 18 wheeler accidents present a much greater likelihood of catastrophic injury or wrongful death than accidents involving only passenger vehicles, and the factors leading to an accident involving a large truck are often complex.
Semi tractor trailer and other large truck accidents can occur because of overworked, undertrained, exhausted, or negligent drivers; improperly loaded vehicles; mechanical defects; and many other preventable causes. Frequently, more than one of these causes is a factor contributing to the occurrence of an accident, making the accident investigation, reconstruction, and subsequent assignation of responsibility more difficult.
If the negligence of another has caused you or a loved one to be involved in a semi tractor trailer or other truck accident leading to injury or death, the advice of a qualified truck accident lawyer can be of great assistance. It is imperative that you contact an experienced trucking accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure that information that is critical to your claim is not lost, destroyed, or tampered with.

Trucking Accident Causes

Trucking accidents and injuries from such accidents can have several causes, including one or more of the following:

• Driver inattention – either on the part of the truck driver or the driver of the other vehicle or vehicles involved in the accident
• Speeding - because large trucks cannot stop as quickly as smaller vehicles, speeding can easily lead to a collision with another vehicle
• Following too closely - trucks that follow another vehicle too closely run the risk of a trucking accident
• Mechanical difficulties - such as failed brakes, worn tires, seat belt defects, faulty airbags, and lack of crashworthiness
• Aggressive driving - on the part of the truck driver or drivers of other vehicles
• Inattention to blind spots - drivers of passenger vehicles that do not pay attention to truck driver blind spots run the risk of the truck turning into their vehicles

Trucking Accident Prevention

The majority of trucking accidents can be prevented. A few basic precautions to take in order to help avoid trucking accidents include:

• Stay out of truck drivers' blind spots
• Leave sufficient space between trucks and vehicles in front of or following the truck
• Stay alert while driving by getting adequate rest and avoiding use of alcohol and drugs
• Avoid use of cell phones while driving
• Avoid eating while driving

Contact a Qualified Trucking Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been harmed in a trucking accident, you may want to contact a trucking accident attorney for more information. Locate an experienced trucking accident lawyer near you who will be able to answer any questions you have about what you should do in the aftermath of an accident involving a large truck.