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Truck drivers make a living by driving, which leads one to believe that they would be especially good at navigating our nation's roadways. In addition to all of the miles they travel, they are also required to meet strict safety guidelines and undergo various tests. So why do these crashes still happen, and what are the major truck accident causes? A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration covered quite a few:
- The use of drugs – this includes illegal drugs, prescription drugs and over the counter medications. While illegal drugs are an obvious danger, even some medicines that are considered "safe" have caused some sort of impairment in a truck driver.
- Speeding – many truck drivers face pressure to deliver their cargo as quickly as possible—even with laws in place that prohibit this. Unfortunately, a speeding truck is a lot like a giant missile and if it loses control, a lot of people can get hurt.
- Fatigue – with the long hours truck drivers put in behind the wheel, fatigue can catch up with them when they least expect it. They believe they can fight their drowsiness and stay awake, but before they know it, they're asleep behind the wheel and barreling toward an unsuspecting vehicle.
- Distracted Driving – distractions can come in the form of a cell phone and a radio or GPS, but they can also come from outside the truck in the form of road work or stopped traffic because of an accident. Anything that can take a truck driver's attention away from driving safely is a distraction.
When it comes to 18-wheelers there are even more truck accident causes, but these are just a few of the major ones. If you were seriously injured in a trucking collision in Texas, Oklahoma or Arkansas, contact The Girards Law Firm today for a free consultation at 888.333.9709.