With so many trucks on the roads, it’s not uncommon to get into an accident involving a big rig. Since Houston is a central point for cross-country truck travel, you’ll often see these large trucks on our highways. If you’re in a crash with an 18-wheeler, you could end up seriously hurt. If the accident happened because of a truck driver error or the company’s carelessness, you might be owed money to cover your losses. These losses can include medical bills, rehab costs, lost wages, and human damages like pain and suffering.
Factors That Lead to Truck Accidents
Several factors, such as any vehicle accident, could cause or contribute to a truck crash. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) keeps track of truck crash reports from every state. They look at what caused the crash and what played a part in it. There can be many reasons for a specific truck accident, including critical events, reasons why they happened, and other factors.
They group these causes and contributing factors into a few categories: human error, mechanical issues, and outside factors. Human errors are mistakes the driver makes, like not stopping when they should, making a wrong turn, losing control of the truck, or driving too fast. Mechanical problems are issues with the truck’s functions, like brake problems or tire blowouts. Outside factors are things like bad weather or road debris.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Most truck accidents happen because of mistakes made by the driver. One big reason is not paying enough attention to the road. A driver might get distracted by their phone or tired from driving too long without a break. Inexperience can also lead to accidents, as new drivers might make errors or misjudge situations. Drivers must track how long they’ve been driving and take regular breaks to stay alert and avoid fatigue.
Mechanical failures can also be a problem. If the brakes fail or a tire blows out, it can be hard for the driver to control the truck. Another issue can be when the cargo isn’t loaded properly or secured correctly. If the load shifts suddenly, the truck swerves and becomes hard to handle. Since these trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when loaded, they’re tough to control.
Bad weather, like fog or snow, can also make driving tricky. If a driver goes too fast in these conditions, it can lead to a crash. When a driver or the trucking company isn’t careful, and their actions cause an accident, they might be held responsible for the damages.
