Truck accidents occur as a result of various contributing factors. Amongst them we can mention:

• Driver Fatigue: It’s a constant problem, especially when it comes to long-haul drivers of 18-wheelers. They usually spend long hours behind the wheel without any copilot, which increases the risk of fatigue. Despite the federal government has established the number of hours that truck drivers can be on a road without a break, the truth is that many drivers violate those or are encouraged to do so by their employers. In such a situation, a drowsy driver sitting behind a truck that weighs more than 40 tons at 80 miles per hour on a crowded highway can only mean disaster.

• Speeding, Aggressive Driving, and Reckless Driving: They are amongst the most frequent factors involved in truck accidents. On other occasions, accidents are caused by trucks following too closely or by large commercial vehicles making unsafe lane changes. In addition, trucks are more difficult to maneuver and they can’t stop at the split of a second; and with so many drivers trying to stick to unrealistic delivery schedules, they are more prone to driving aggressively or recklessly.

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Despite truck drivers are subject to medical exams and drug testing to make sure they are able to operate such large vehicles in a safe manner, many of them still rely on both legal and illegal drugs to help them stay awake and/or drive for more hours at a time.

• Distracted Driving: It’s easy to get distracted with something to drink or something to eat or changing the radio tune when you’ve been driving for long periods of time. However, distracted driving has become a serious issue amongst trucking companies because their drivers talk or text or check their social networks on the phone while driving not to mention the many occasions in which they pay more attention to their GPS than to the actual road ahead. In addition, many truckers are also distracted by the different devices they use to make fleet management more efficient.

• Improperly loaded cargo: Trucks carrying cargo must follow strict rules that were set by the Federal Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2004. According to these rules, all loads must be “firmly immobilized or secured” by using tie-downs, shoring bars, or another structure of adequate strength. Truck drivers must also use an appropriate amount of tie-downs for the length and weight of their specific load. When they don’t follow these guidelines different unwanted scenarios can occur, such as:

  • Rollover accidents

  • Loss of control of the vehicle

  • Road spills

• Lacking training and safety programs for drivers: Even though trucking companies are supposed by law to provide their drivers with the appropriate training and safety equipment so that they are safe on the road, the truth is that not all of them do so. When drivers don’t receive frequent safety training or safety programs are not in place, they are more likely to be involved in truck accidents.

• Improper maintenance – Inadequate Inspections: Trucks, commercial vehicles, and 18-wheelers need to undergo regular maintenance to ensure that their brakes, tires, engine, lights, etc are working properly. While on the road, and driving such large and heavy vehicles, even the slightest mechanical issue can end up causing a serious or even lethal accident. In the same way, inadequate inspections of the trucks can easily miss mechanical malfunctions that can affect the vehicle’s performance.