Common Causes Of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can be influenced by a variety of factors, including those within and outside your control as a driver.

Drivers of large trucks can be subject to many of the same issues faced by other motorists, such as poor road conditions, distracted driving, and other normal dangers.

However, truck drivers can also face issues more specific to their profession. One of these is a greater likelihood of fatigue, as professional drivers often face long hours transporting loads from one location to the next.

Excessive driver fatigue can make a commercial truck driver less aware of their surroundings on the road and can also affect judgement and driving skills.

Additional causes and factors that can contribute to truck accidents include:

• improperly loaded cargo
• speeding
• poorly maintained vehicle
• equipment failure
• over-the-counter and prescription drug use
• alcohol use
• unfamiliarity with the roadway
• traffic law violations
• traffic flow interruptions (e.g. congestion)
• brake problems
• level of driver training
• weather conditions

According to crash experts, accidents involving large trucks are rarely caused by just a single factor.

If you or someone you know has gotten into a truck accident, there may be more than one factor to consider as you’re attempting to identify the exact cause—or causes—of your accident.