3 common reasons for truck accidents

There is a reason that drivers must receive a special license in order to operate a truck. These massive vehicles are substantially larger than traditional cars, motorcycles and bicycles. As a result, the amount of damage that an accident can cause is significant. Every year trucking accidents cause countless severe injuries and thousands of dollars of property damage.

The stakes are inherently much higher for truck drivers. Even the smallest mistake can cause an accident that involves multiple people. This places a greater emphasis on preventing as many truck accidents as possible. Fortunately, many of the most common reasons for accidents involving over-sized vehicles are preventable through creating awareness and making intelligent decisions on the road.

Driver fatigue

Driver fatigue is one of the greatest causes of trucking accidents in the United States. Drivers often spend hours on the road every single day covering thousands of miles. Additionally, many companies offer monetary incentives that encourage their drivers to cover as much distance as possible in the shortest amount of time.

Naturally, spending the majority of the day on the road and avoiding rest to cover as much ground as possible makes driver fatigue a significant issue. While federal regulations do exist that limit the number of hours a driver can be on the road each day, driver fatigue still remains a major concern.

Maintenance error

As with every vehicle on the road, maintenance errors have the potential to cause accidents. This is a heightened issue for trucks due to the destruction that even a single accident can cause. As a result, federal regulations require that drivers keep their vehicles in working condition. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to comply with these rules due the high cost of maintenance. Engine malfunction, worn tires, brake failure and other maintenance errors all can play a direct role in a severe truck accident.

Distracted driving

Driving can get extremely boring and repetitive when you spend as much time on the road as truck drivers do. This can lead to drivers seeking out different ways to entertain themselves. Cell phones in particular are a significant issue. Drivers may use their phones to make calls, send text messages, look at social media or use applications. Other potential distractions include daydreaming, eating or observing something outside the vehicle such as a billboard or animal. The split second that a driver takes to focus on something other than the road can be the difference between a catastrophic accident and reaching his or her destination safely.