Accidents between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle commonly result in catastrophic injuries. Injuries of this caliber can leave a victim with a lifetime of consequences and expenses. There is very little that a passenger vehicle can do to get a favorable outcome, so it is best to prevent them from happening.
Despite the developments in road safety in most vehicles, trucking accidents are at a 30-year high. Learning about what causes these accidents is the first step in preventing them from ever happening, so here are three significant causes of trucking accidents:
Driver fatigue
Truck drivers spend at least a dozen hours a day in a truck, so its no wonder that they may experience fatigue. It can be easy for someone to slip into a sense of sleepiness, which can quickly spell disaster on the road. By making a point to drive only as much as we are comfortable, we can help prevent accidents caused by fatigue.
Parts failure
Commercial trucks drive hundreds of miles every day, and the vehicle’s equipment can take a toll on these rides. Tires, turn signals, and windshield wipers are examples of parts on a truck that can quickly wear out. When the driver fails to maintain even minor aspects of a truck, it can result in the driver not being able to drive safely, and cause an accident.
Reckless driving
Truck drivers are vulnerable to the same temptations while driving as anyone else. Using a cellphone, eating, and reaching for something can cause a driver to lose attention to the road and cause an accident. It is also possible for truck drivers to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving as well.
Watch for trucks
When a truck driver cannot drive safely for any reason, common signs of it appear as swerving, erratic braking, and changes to speeds. If you see any of these signs of reckless driving coming from a commercial truck, safely back away from the vehicle, and be sure to give it considerable space.