According to data from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), there are around 143,000 to 166,000 truck accidents reported every year in the U.S. As of 2023, the number of truck accident fatalities had increased by 10%. In the same year, 5,472 people lost their lives in large truck crashes.
After a truck crash, victims can seek compensation for the injuries and damages sustained. Luckily, experienced truck accident lawyers can help you gather the right evidence to support your claim. Understanding what causes these crashes is the first step in preventing the accidents and holding the right parties accountable. Below are some of the most common factors that cause truck accidents in the U.S.
Driver Fatigue
Around 13% of truck accidents in the country are caused by driver fatigue. Truck drivers often work long hours and cover hundreds of miles in a single shift. The federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are enforced to limit driving time. Truckers are required to take mandatory rest periods. For example, drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving as per the FMCSA regulations.
When a driver is tired, their reaction time is reduced, their ability to make decisions decreases, and their ability to stay focused significantly drops. All these are recipes for serious accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distraction behind the wheel is dangerous for any driver. A survey by Teletrac Navman showed that 70% of truck fleets are affected by distracted driving. Truck drivers may be distracted by:
- Smartphones
- GPS devices
- Dispatching systems
- Eating while driving
Just taking your eyes off the road for a second can cause the truck to drift into another lane, rear-end a small vehicle, or fail to see a traffic sign. Despite being a common issue, distraction is one of the most preventable causes of truck accidents.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Speeding causes around 29% of traffic fatalities. When a truck is speeding, it becomes difficult to stop quickly or avoid obstacles on the road. For example, the stopping distance of an 18-wheeler is much longer than a regular car, and speeding only makes this worse.
Additionally, aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, weaving through traffic, or abrupt lane changes without signaling enough can lead to deadly crashes.
Poor Truck Maintenance
Truck maintenance is mandatory in the U.S. The FMCSA regulates truck maintenance. Truckers are supposed to have records of routine maintenance. This is necessary for trucks to operate safely.
If brakes are worn out, tires do not have treads and hence lack traction, or the steering system is faulty, a truck automatically becomes a hazard on the road. Some companies try to cut corners to save money and fail to inspect their fleets regularly. When a mechanical failure leads to an accident, the responsibility automatically falls on the trucking company for neglecting proper maintenance.
Poorly Loaded Cargo
Around 4,000 runaway cargo accidents happen in the U.S. every year. This represents about 1% of all truck accidents. When a truck cargo is not secured properly, it can shift during transit. This can affect the truck balance, leading to tipping or even jackknifing accidents.
Overloaded cargo also poses a risk. That is why there are strict regulations about how trucks should be loaded.
Lack of Enough Training and Experience
Driving a commercial truck requires special training and a CDL license. Unfortunately, not every driver is as prepared as they should be. Inexperienced drivers may not know how to react to emergencies or handle a truck in poor weather conditions. A trucking company has the responsibility to ensure all drivers are fully trained and qualified.
Conclusion
Other causes of truck accidents include drug and alcohol use and poor weather conditions. Knowing these causes can help prevent the crashes and identify who may be responsible when an accident happens.