Big trucks are undoubtedly dangerous neighbors on the roads. Most trucks are enormous and can crush smaller passenger vehicles in seconds. Despite the modern safety features of automobiles, many drivers barely manage to save their lives when truck accidents occur; tragically, some do not survive.
The federal government heavily regulates the transportation industry. The standards are designed to prevent the common causes of catastrophic truck accidents, such as driver fatigue and improper maintenance. Still, the sad reality is that violations are becoming more common.
Injuries sustained in truck accidents are generally much worse than those that occur in other types of accidents. Determining liability can be tricky because the truck driver may not be the only culprit; that is why you should contact our team of Zehl & Associates. Our Houston truck accident lawyer have the experience to deal with insurance companies, trucking companies, and anyone who may be liable for your injuries – and to win your case.
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Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are no different than car or motorcycle accidents when drivers act negligently behind the wheel. Speeding, closely following another vehicle, erratic lane changes, and passing the red light are deadly reckless in one way or another. This is especially unacceptable for truckers, who receive specialized training to obtain their commercial driver’s licenses. However, there are some violations that are seen especially among truckers as the leading causes of truck accidents.
Driver fatigue
Truckers travel the roads for hours on end. The tours are usually long and monotonous, which can tire the eyes and cause drowsiness, headaches, irritability and concentration problems. Although the FMCSA has established strict hours of service regulations for drivers to reduce truck accidents caused by driver fatigue, more than 750 people die and about 20,000 are injured each year in truck accidents related to fatigue.
Poor Truck Maintenance
FMCSA regulations state how often a truck must be inspected for proper operation of the brakes, tires, lights, speedometers, and other parts that are necessary for safe operation. This is an area where truck owners or other truck caretakers can be held liable if an accident occurs because they skimped on maintenance in an effort to save money.
Driving while intoxicated or abused by other substances
Driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs is illegal among all motor vehicle operators, but truckers are also vulnerable to accidents when taking over-the-counter or prescription drugs without knowing how. these will affect their bodies.
Employer pressure
Unfortunately, trucking companies and freight companies often pressure drivers to make early deliveries in order to receive additional benefits; This can cause truckers to violate federal hours of service requirements, increasing the likelihood of fatigue-induced accidents.