Any road accident can take a physical, emotional and often financial toll on those involved, but with a truck accident, the effect is often amplified. Yet, if we look at the causes of truck accidents, it becomes quite clear that most of these events are avoidable. As any truck accident lawyer in Royal Palm Beach will tell you, driver error is usually the underlying cause of any crash. Let us examine some of the most common, direct causes in more detail:
Fatigue
Truck drivers often travel long distances without getting enough rest. Unfortunately, delivery deadlines are often prioritized over road safety, meaning that drivers push through when they should be stopping to take a break. The resulting loss of concentration and coordination can often lead to an accident.
Distraction
Distracted drivers are a major concern on all our roads, regardless of what type of vehicle they are driving. The temptation to read a text or take a call while at the wheel is one to which many a driver has succumbed – sometimes with no consequences, but sometimes resulting in tragedy. It may not necessarily be the truck driver who gets distracted in the lead-up to a collision. Other motorists are just as susceptible.
Substance abuse
It is a serious breach of professional conduct, as well as general road safety rules, for a truck driver to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on duty. Nevertheless, this happens all the time. While some truck drivers may not use alcohol while working, many have been known to use amphetamines or cocaine (speed-like drugs) to keep them awake. While these substances may have the desired effect, keeping sleep at bay, they do not necessarily have any positive impacts on driving abilities, and may make drivers more aggressive on the road and more inclined to take dangerous chances.
Speeding
Again, speeding is something any motorist might be guilty of, but truck drivers can have a particular tendency to push the speed limit when they are under pressure to make a delivery in a particular time frame. Exceeding the recommended speed limit is never a good idea, but especially so when the vehicle involved is a massive, full-laden truck.
No matter which of these causes might be at the bottom of an accident, determining liability can be tricky. Was the driver at fault or is it actually the trucking company that should be blamed? Perhaps both? On the other hand, was the truck driver being careful and diligent, while the other motorist – or motorists – should bear responsibility? A personal injury lawyer with experience in the nuances of truck accidents is the best person to find the answers to these questions. If you have been involved in a truck accident, contact Sokoloff & Weinstein, and book a consultation with one of our team. Whichever of the common causes of truck accidents are at play, we will get to the bottom of the matter and build a case to help you get the compensation you deserve.
