Truck accidents are some of the deadliest collisions on U.S. highways. With some semi-trucks and tractor-trailers weighing up to 80,000 pounds, a single mistake can cause devastating consequences. With more than 60,000 injuries and 5,000 deaths annually, it’s a big problem.
Truck crash victims often sue the trucking company for their injuries, and while money covers bills, it doesn’t reverse psychological trauma or permanent disabilities. While it might seem like truck crashes happen randomly, they’re usually the result of identifiable and preventable factors.
1. Driver fatigue
Driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents in the United States. Drowsy driving causes impairment on the same level as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even just a few seconds of nodding off at highway speeds can result in a catastrophic collision. But some truck drivers feel like they don’t have a choice. Despite legal requirements for rest and limited driving hours, truck drivers are often pressured to drive for long hours to meet tight delivery deadlines, which leads to exhaustion.
To maintain unrealistic schedules and avoid getting fired, many drivers knowingly push past legal driving limits set by Hours of Service regulations and drive while drowsy. Companies only get away with this until they’re sued after an accident.
2. Distracted driving
Anything that takes attention off the road is a distraction. These distractions can include cell phones, GPS systems, food, drinks, passengers, and even onboard computers. Any kind of multitasking like adjusting controls can split focus at the wrong time and cause a crash. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous for long haul truck drivers.
Federal regulations require hands-free cellphone use but violations occur daily. And the law doesn’t account for the phone call itself being a distraction. It doesn’t take a massive distraction to create a hazard. Even a one-second gap in attention equals multiple truck lengths of lost stopping distance.
3. Speeding and aggressive driving
Semi-trucks and tractor-trailers have no business speeding, but it happens regularly and contributes to a significant portion of truck-related fatalities. Large commercial trucks traveling at or above 70 mph need hundreds of extra feet to stop safely.
Sometimes truck drivers tailgate passenger vehicles and that’s a recipe for disaster. If the car stops suddenly or slows down too quickly, a tailgating truck won’t have time to stop. Once in a while a truck driver will get aggressive and change lanes frequently, and at high speeds that just amplifies the risk for a crash.
4. Poor vehicle maintenance
Worn brakes, defective tires, and neglected safety checks account for thousands of accidents each year. According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, 398 commercial vehicles were taken off the road in one day due to brake violations alone. That doesn’t even cover additional safety violations or inspections performed throughout the remaining 364 days of the year.
Underinflated or bald tires increase the risk of rollovers and lane departures, but many truck drivers fail to initiate the routine inspections that would catch this and other problems. Tight schedules encourage drivers to skip federally mandated pre-trip checks. Unfortunately, a poorly maintained truck is a hazard regardless of the driver’s skill level.
5. Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo
Improperly secured cargo and loads over the weight limit make trucks unstable and cause trucks to jackknife and roll. Unsecured cargo shifts in transit, which destabilized the balance of the entire truck. And when weight limits are exceeded, it strains brake systems and increases stopping distances.
6. Weather and poor road conditions
Bad weather and poor road conditions can affect all drivers but it’s particularly dangerous for commercial truck drivers. Rain, snow, fog, and ice reduce visibility, expand blind spots, and create conditions that increase the risk of a crash. Even high winds can topple trailers. To compensate for bad road conditions, truck drivers should slow down but many don’t. The result can be deadly.
7. Impaired driving
Alcohol-impaired truck drivers were involved in around 3% of fatal truck crashes in 2010. But it doesn’t take much to impair a driver. Even a prescription drug or small amount of alcohol can drastically reduce a driver’s reaction time.
Most truck crashes are preventable
Truck accidents are devastating but most are preventable. The majority of factors that contribute to truck crashes can be avoided with accountability and oversight. Stricter enforcement of Hours of Service regulations, regular vehicle inspections, better driver training, and proper loading practices all cut risk dramatically.
When trucking companies prioritize profit over safety, everyone pays the price. Holding drivers and their companies responsible is the only way to reduce preventable tragedies.
