Every year, more than 500,000 truck accidents happen in the United States which results to about more than 5,000 deaths.
A big-rig truck can weigh more than 80,000 pounds and can be as long as 75 feet. The amount of damage a truck of that size will undoubtedly be staggering.
In fact, 98 percent of all big-rig truck to passenger vehicle collision results in the death of either the driver and/or the passenger of the passenger vehicle.
Here are some of the errors that most big-rig truck drivers commit:
• Driving a big-rig truck without appropriate qualifications and required training.
• Driving over the speed limit to meet tight deadlines.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Driving long hours without taking a break or not getting enough rest. Driver’s fatigue and sleep deprivation is the leading cause of truck accidents.
• Not properly loading heavy loads on the truck.
• Loading the trucks more than its maximum capacity.
• Driving with liquid loads that are less than three quarters of the maximum capacity. This causes the liquid load to “slosh” and move the weight about, which in turn makes it more difficult for the driver to control the truck.
• Drivers not going through the required pre-trip and during the trip inspection to ensure that the truck loads are properly secured.
However, it is not always the driver of the big-rig truck who is at fault. In fact, most truck accidents are actually caused by the drivers of passenger vehicles.
Here are some driver errors that are committed by passenger vehicle drivers that may cause a truck accident:
• Driving in the blind spots and no zones of the truck. Because of the sheer size and length of a big-rig truck, there are certain areas around the truck that are not visible to the driver. Driving in such areas usually result to accidents as the truck driver does not even know that there is a vehicle there.
• Cutting lanes in front of the truck. Because of its elevated heights, it is difficult for a truck driver to see the front of the truck and might not notice a cutting vehicle.
• Not keeping enough distance from the rear of the big-rig truck. This applies to all vehicles and not only with trucks. It is just more dangerous with trucks because of its size.
• Trying to overtake a truck from the wrong side. When overtaking a truck, make sure that the driver is aware of your presence.
• Leaving a stalled car in the middle of a traffic lane instead of moving it on the shoulder of the road.
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If you are injured as a result of a big-rig truck accident, you should consult with a truck accident attorney to guide you with your legal options.
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