5 Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents typically result in injuries ranging from serious to critical. This is primarily because of the sheer size of these vehicles. Whether it’s a tow truck, garbage vehicle, flatbed, or tanker truck, these vehicles are huge compared to cars and other vehicles on the road. This means that in the event of a collision with a truck, your smaller vehicle is likely to sustain a lot more damage. This also translates into more serious injuries for you as an occupant of the smaller vehicle.

If you run into an accident with a truck, the silver lining is that you may be eligible for compensatory damages. The truck driver, the company that owns the truck, and the manufacturer are some of the parties that can be held liable in a truck accident. However, it is important to hire a good attorney who will help you determine the liable party.

Before you file a claim, it is important to understand how truck accidents happen. Here is a look at some of the common causes of why truck crashes occur.

Weather

One of the most common causes of truck accidents is the weather. Given their sheer weight and size, trucks are a type of vehicle that is harder to steer and control. Things become even harder when it is raining and wet road conditions are created. Similarly, fog, ice, snow, sleet, and other weather elements can also create hazardous road conditions for a big rig.

Under such circumstances, a mistake as minor as a few second’s delay in braking can cause a truck to skid, veer into the opposite lane, colliding with a vehicle ahead, or simply roll over and fall into the path of the rest of the traffic. This is why truck drivers are usually advised to go slow and be extra careful in adverse weather conditions.

Slow Traffic

The traffic along a highway may slow down for a variety of reasons. When this happens all of a sudden, the other drivers who are yet to reach the slow traffic are not forewarned about the block ahead. Many truck drivers fail to slow down in time to account for the slow traffic. This causes them to rear-end the vehicles which have already slowed down right in front of them. Statistics show that nearly 30% of the fatal crashes in work zones are caused by trucks. In such cases, a truck driver may be issued a citation for failure to slow down to avoid a collision.

Poor Road Conditions

When a road is dotted with potholes and is otherwise uneven or not properly maintained, it is a potential hazard for any and all vehicles that travel on it. The hazard is greater for trucks that can veer out of the driver’s control due to such road conditions, causing harm to other persons and property. Roads that lack a shoulder or are otherwise too narrow can also cause a truck to run into an accident.

Poor Truck Maintenance

As is the case with any piece of machinery, trucks require routine maintenance. The maintenance checklist for a commercial truck must cover brakes, tires, cargo, and virtually all other aspects of the vehicle. A comprehensive log must be maintained as proof that on-time maintenance has occurred. If a track causes a crash, authorities may seek the logbook to see if the requisite maintenance was performed. At the same time, if a faulty component caused the crash, the trucking company may be held liable for failing to resolve the fault in time.

Load Problems

Most commercial trucks carry a heavy load and transport it over long distances. When the trucks are overloaded, the driver may easily lose balance at the slightest mistake. This often causes a truck to tip over or jackknife when a sudden turn or movement is undertaken by the driver. Similarly, if a truck’s load is not properly secured in place, it creates a serious hazard for other vehicles on the road. In the case of a flatbed trailer, the unsecured load can directly fall onto the other vehicles and crush them.

Hiring Reliable Attorneys for Truck Accidents in Greenwood, SC

Truck accidents can result in serious injuries and heavy property damage. This is why it is important to seek compensation to cover these losses if you have been involved in a crash.

Here at ASB Law Firm, we work with truck accident victims to seek the maximum amount of compensation for their losses. Our aim is to help you file a claim at the earliest, meet all the legal requirements, and counter any unfair objections presented by the other side. Ring us today for a free session with our attorneys and discuss your case in detail.