The Leading Causes of Truck Accidents in the US and How to Prevent Them
The leading causes of truck accidents are driver error, vehicle defects, and weather conditions. While it is impossible to prevent all accidents from happening, several things can be done to reduce the number of accidents involving trucks.
Distracted Driving
Distraction is another major factor when it comes to trucking accidents because it puts drivers at risk of losing control over the vehicle.
Drivers who are distracted by their cell phones or other devices may fail to see a truck coming down the road or be unable to react quickly enough when they do see it. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents today, so it is important for drivers to always pay attention while driving the vehicle.
Speeding and Other Reckless Driving Behaviors
Speeding is by far one of the most common causes of truck accidents because it increases stopping distances and reduces reaction times when encountering another vehicle or object on the road. Speeding also increases wear on tires and brakes which can result in blowouts or failure while driving.
This can lead to loss of control over your vehicle which can cause an accident if not corrected quickly enough.
Fatigue
Fatigue is another major cause of truck accidents because it affects both your reaction time and judgment skills. If you are fatigued, then you may be more likely to make an error when driving and cause an accident with another vehicle or object on the road ahead.
Truckers often have long days behind them by the time they get home from their route — sometimes 18 hours or more! This can lead to fatigue and poor decision-making skills when it comes time
Other Reasons
Other reasons include:
- Poorly maintained vehicles (including those with faulty brakes): Get a Brooklyn truck accident attorney timely to make sure nobody has the time to fix any faulty brakes or gear later.
- Poor weather and road conditions can also affect your ability to drive safely and avoid an accident. Rainy days can make it difficult for drivers to see clearly ahead due to foggy windows and poor visibility; snowfall can reduce traction on roads; heavy winds can also affect the vehicle tremendously.
Wrapping Up
You do not need to ask a lawyer — truck accidents are serious and often fatal.
In 2015, there were 5,871 truck accidents in the US — resulting in 3,971 fatalities and 101,000 injuries. It is clear to see that trucks are a major cause for concern on our roads today.
Because of this, truck drivers need to make sure they are following all traffic laws and regulations. Failure to do so can result in serious consequences such as fines, license suspension, or even jail time. It is also important for drivers to be aware of what causes truck accidents so they can take steps to prevent them from occurring.
It should be pretty evident by now that given the severity of truck accidents in Brooklyn, a Brooklyn truck accident attorney should be called right away. Lawyers and attorneys from reputable law firms such as Brooklyn Injury Attorneys can help you remarkably in speeding up the process and making the best case for you.
Do not settle for a subpar law firm in these serious cases.
