Top Causes of Truck Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 333,000 large truck accidents occurred throughout the United States, killing nearly 4,000 people and injuring over 100,000. Florida was among the top three states, after Texas and California, where most of these fatal accidents took place, accounting for over 5% of fatalities.

Why do so many of these tragic truck accidents occur? Some of the primary causes include:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Poor truck maintenance
• Reckless driving

Despite strict rules enacted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) intended to discourage fatigued driving, the trucking industry continues to put pressure on drivers to meet deadlines, pushing them to break the rules. Many of these drivers often have to drive for over fourteen hours without rest. To stay within regulations, drivers input false data in their log books, to avoid any repercussions for not abiding by the rules.

The FMCSA also sets regulations regarding the maintenance of commercial trucks. These trucks spend thousands of hours on the road, which takes a toll on the vehicle and necessitates frequent inspection and regular maintenance. When trucking companies fail to maintain their vehicles, it puts the truck driver and everyone on the road at risk.

Reckless driving, which can sometimes go hand in hand with distracted driving, is another major cause of truck accidents. Tailgating is particularly a common problem with large trucks, especially in busy metropolitan areas. Trucks cannot stop as easily as a car, so if they suddenly need to brake, an accident can easily occur.

Truck drivers are just as guilty of distracted driving as anyone else, often multi-tasking while behind the wheel, and taking their eyes off the road while sending or reading texts, eating, or talking on the phone. Given the sheer size of these trucks, however, even the smallest accident can be disastrous.

At the Law Offices of Adam Baron, P.A., our Coral Springs truck accident lawyers are prepared to hold those responsible for your injuries accountable. A truck accident lawsuit can involve more than just the truck driver, but also their direct employer, the truck manufacturer, trucking company, and even the mechanic who worked on the vehicle.

Call us for a free consultation at (954) 716-8976.