Large tractor-trailer trucks, or 18-wheelers, account for more than 390,000 crashes each year in the U.S., according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Unfortunately, due to the size and weight of these large vehicles, many of the accidents involving 18-wheelers end in serious personal injury and even fatalities.
Why Truck Accidents Happen
As with any type of traffic accident, there are a multitude of reasons that can trigger the event, from bad weather and dangerous roads to driver error and lack of truck maintenance. However, following are some of the most common causes of large truck accidents in the U.S.:
Driver Fatigue and Unrealistic Schedules
Federal transportation regulations mandate that truck drivers not be given unrealistic schedules to meet. Trucking companies, though, often push those laws as much as possible to keep shipments on schedule and operating costs low. Driving a truck for hours on end without substantial breaks can lead to driver fatigue. Driver fatigue can result in operating mistakes, missed safety inspections and falling asleep at the wheel.
Defective Tires or Other Equipment
Semi-truck tires must be in good condition at all times. But the fact is, many trucks on the roads today have worn or defective tires, or even tires with too much or too little air in them. Problems like these can result in a blown truck tire while a semi is traveling at a high speed. Accidents like roll-overs, jackknifing and multi-vehicle collisions can occur after a blown tire. Commercial trucks can also crash because of defective and unsafe parts (often refurbished parts) which can lead to equipment failure on the road.
Overloaded Trucks
Large trucks that are carrying too heavy a load can be another accident factor. Overloaded trucks place added stress on the truck’s braking system, as the extra weight from the cargo can cause the truck to gain too much speed on a downhill slope. Overloaded trucks can tip over more easily on curves and turns, as well.
Because there is such a wide range of factors that can cause commercial trucking accidents, it is even more important to ensure you have a team of legal and transportation experts involved, should you be injured in a truck accident. A complete accident investigation needs to be conducted by not only the proper state or federal authorities, but also by a team you have hired on your behalf.
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