Common Causes of Truck Accidents

The truck industry is a significant part of the economy of our country. Manufacturers, retailers, and countless other businesses would fall apart without truck drivers. Even so, trucking accidents continue to occur in alarming numbers. A truck accident can result in significant property damage, serious injury, or a fatality.

Several factors contribute to a truck accident. The key to avoiding these accidents is to understand the contributing factors. Below are some of the most common causes of truck accidents and how you can prevent them.

Fatigue

The most serious accidents often result from driver fatigue. Fatigue impairs a driver's response time and can create impairments similar to those caused by alcohol.

Federal regulations require truck drivers to drive for no longer than 11 hours of driving time. However, companies often push their drivers beyond set limits, increasing their risk of experiencing fatigue and falling asleep at the wheel.

Staying within federal regulations is the most effective way to prevent driver fatigue. Whenever you feel sleepy while operating a vehicle, stop for a rest as soon as possible, no matter how much time you have left.

Speeding

Despite the dangers of speeding, many drivers, whether in a car or driving a truck, decide it's okay to speed for whatever reason.

Trucks are much larger than passenger vehicles, making speeding even more dangerous. Due to their sheer size and weight, semi-trucks can exert more force when they collide with something. Furthermore, the truck reacts more slowly to sudden changes in speed or direction due to its momentum.

Therefore, staying within the speed limit and maintaining proper distance between vehicles is even more crucial.

Often, truck drivers speed in an effort to stay on schedule or beat their scheduled time. However, safety always comes first on the road, no matter your timeline.

Lack of Maintenance

Many catastrophic truck accidents occur due to poor vehicle maintenance. The most common maintenance issue is brake defects.

A truck already takes longer to stop than a car. A truck with bad brakes would take even longer to stop, resulting in an even greater chance of an accident.

Engine maintenance is also essential for your truck. Trucks whose engines fail on a freeway create a huge obstacle such that fast-moving cars and other trucks are less likely to be able to stop or dodge. The result can be devastating vehicle pile-ups, increased injury risk, and even death. In addition, worn tires can lead to blowouts that can be deadly.

Staying on top of your regular maintenance schedule is the best way to avoid these consequences. You should also inspect your truck before and after every trip and make any necessary repairs before driving off.

Blind Spots

A truck's blind spot is notoriously wide. Trucks are four times longer than an average car, and their side-view mirrors can only show so much.

Occasionally, a truck driver might change lanes without realizing another driver is in their blind spot. As a result, a car could get sucked under the trailer resulting in a collision.

Truck drivers must always be aware of their surroundings to ensure another vehicle doesn't accidentally enter their blind spot. Signal your intention to change lanes well in advance.

An accident is the last thing a truck driver wants to think about. No matter how long you have driven a truck or whether you recently just started, you can never stop learning about road safety measures. The consequences of an accident can be severe for you and others and also cause damage to your truck, legal and insurance issues, and even long-term suspensions.

To learn more about career opportunities in truck driving, Commercial Trucking School is here to help. Contact us today.