Truck accidents are far more common than most people realize. In 2023, 114,552 people were injured in accidents involving large trucks, like semis and tractor-trailers. Unfortunately, when a large commercial truck crashes with a passenger vehicle, the damage is rarely minor. Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded, and non-fatal crashes often leave victims with serious injuries.
Not all truck accidents are the same, and not all accidents can be pursued in court. For truck accident victims seeking compensation, the cause of a truck accident matters and can influence the outcome of their case.
The cause of an accident can help establish who was at fault and how much fault (if any) the injured victim shares. Some causes, like a DUI or gross negligence, allow for punitive damages. When the cause of a truck accident can be linked directly to the injury, it strengthens claims for damages like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. That’s why it’s crucial to hire a lawyer if you’ve been injured in a truck crash. They can connect the dots to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Below are the common causes of truck accidents and how they play a role in determining liability and compensation.
- Driver fatigue
Truck drivers often face grueling schedules that push them past the point of exhaustion. Fatigue impairs judgment and slows reaction times, making fatigued driving just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. According to data from the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, 13% of commercial drivers involved in an accident were fatigued.
Despite federal hours-of-service regulations limiting how long drivers can be on the road and requiring breaks, some companies pressure drivers to ignore these rules.
- Distracted driving
Drivers who text, eat, or adjust their GPS systems are taking their attention off the road. Even if it seems minimal, all it takes is a split-second of inattention to cause a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving caused 3,308 fatalities in 2022.
Common distractions include cell phone use, radios, dispatch devices, food, and even conversations with a passenger or hands-free call. To find out if a driver was distracted, courts will pull phone records, dash cam footage, and get witness accounts. Proving negligence in this case is pretty straightforward but still requires evidence.
- Impaired driving
While it’s less common than fatigue and distraction, impaired driving is seriously dangerous. A driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol is capable of mass destruction. Even small amounts of alcohol can significantly increase a driver’s accident risk.
Evidence of a DUI can strengthen a case in court and may even lead to punitive damages, increasing the amount of compensation the injured party can recover.
- Poor vehicle maintenance
Trucking companies are required to maintain their vehicle fleets, but it’s common for them to take shortcuts. Sometimes inspections are skipped and safety checks are waived off even when something needs to be addressed. As a result, issues like faulty brakes and worn tires can make an 18-wheeler uncontrollable on the road.
In a court case, maintenance records and repair histories will be requested and inspected to see if the company was on top of maintenance tasks. Gaps can be used to prove negligence and extend fault to the company in addition to the driver.
- Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo
Cargo needs to be secured in a balanced way and properly secured. When it’s not, the result can be catastrophic. Trucks can roll over, jackknife, and spill their cargo. Unfortunately, violations of cargo rules are common.
Trucking companies often try to get as much product delivered as possible, overloading their vehicles and exceeding weight limits. This makes a truck harder to control and requires more stopping distance.
In addition to drivers (if they load their own trucks) and trucking companies, loading companies can also be held liable for truck accidents if improper loading played a role in the crash.
- Dangerous road and weather conditions
Not all truck accidents are caused by irresponsible drivers. Sometimes the environment is to blame. Weather-related crashes cause 3,800 fatalities and 268,000 injuries each year in the U.S. But even though the weather is outside of their control, drivers and companies need to take precautions.
Environmental factors don’t eliminate liability in a truck accident lawsuit. For example, truck drivers need to account for longer stopping distances on icy or wet roads and adjust their driving habits to account for snow and hazardous road conditions.
Different causes can have different consequences
Truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons, whether it’s fatigue, poor maintenance, distracted driving, or alcohol impairment. Regardless of injury, the cause of a crash plays a critical role in determining fault and compensation.
