Causes of Truck Accidents

What Are the Main Causes of Truck Accidents?

Truck Accident Lawyers Explain How Negligence Causes 18 Wheeler Crashes

Truck accidents have the potential to ruin the lives of those involved, especially passenger vehicle occupants who are a part of collisions between 18 wheelers and automobiles. There are several factors that can cause a truck accident, including negligence on the part of trucking companies and truck drivers.

The truck accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can help if you or someone you love was the victim of an accident that was the result of a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence. Mike Love, our law firm’s founding partner, owned a trucking business earlier in his career. Mike’s trucking company was based in Angelina County and specialized in hauling heavy loads. During his time in the trucking business, Mike always made sure his company prioritized safety and adhering to trucking industry rules and regulations above all else.

Mike’s time in the trucking business allowed him to see how, in many cases, others within the trucking industry were not prioritizing safety and were instead engaging in dangerous practices to help their bottom line. Mike has been able to use the lessons he learned while working in the trucking business to give his clients an edge in finding the smoking gun that proves a trucker or trucking company was at fault for an 18 wheeler accident.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

There are several factors that can lead to a truck accident. Common causes of truck accidents include but are not limited to the following:

• Distracted Driving – No one, especially truck drivers, should engage in other activities while driving. Examples of distracted driving include eating, texting, talking to passengers or on the phone, adjusting the radio/CD player/MP3 player or operating a GPS. Driving while tired is another form of distracted driving that often causes trucking accidents because truckers are often pressured to break the rules a drive longer hours than they sure in order to get the load there on time.
• Inadequately Trained Truckers – It costs time and money for a company to ensure that its drivers are properly trained. Many companies fail to perform background checks, call references or conduct driving tests on new hires. However, this can lead to truckers getting behind the wheel after an inadequate amount of training or lack of real-world truck driving experience. Having a driver operating a tractor-trailer truck who is not yet familiar with or comfortable driving the vehicle is a recipe for disaster.
• Inadequately Supervised Truckers – With today’s GPS tracking and electronic engine monitors technology, trucking companies literally have the capability to monitor every move their drivers make and to reprimand or even fire drivers for being unsafe.  Many trucking companies intuitionally turn a blind eye to their drivers’ dangerous habits because it makes them more money for their drives to get there fast and move on to the next load.
• Poorly Maintained 18 Wheelers – Tractor-trailer trucks must be properly inspected and maintained while in use, according to federal guidelines. In some cases, this includes truckers and trucking companies inspecting the vehicles daily. The reason for such strict maintenance and inspection regulations is that if a semi-truck suffers a brake malfunction, tire blowout, engine failure or some other mechanical issue, it can lead to a catastrophic accident.
• Unsecured Loads – Tractor-trailer trucks carry massive amounts of cargo across great distances at high speeds. Needless to say, cargo on semi-trucks must be secure, because if it is not, it could lead to tragedy. Unfortunately, those who load trucks sometimes do not do it properly. This can be due to being rushed because of a tight schedule or being inexperienced and not understanding how to distribute weight properly while packing a truck. Either way, if a load is not secure or the weight of a load is not properly distributed, it can lead to jackknife accidents and truck rollovers.
• Drunk or Drugged Driving – Driving while under the influence of alcohol, illegal narcotics or certain prescription or over-the-counter medications is extremely dangerous. Drivers can fall asleep while driving if a medication causes drowsiness or lose coordination and the ability to think and reason clearly if under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Free Consultation with Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers in Texas

Do not try to face a trucking company, its insurer and a high-priced team of attorneys on your own. The experienced Lufkin truck accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can help you. We have been successfully defending the rights of truck accident victims and their families throughout Texas for years. Speak to us for free about your case. We will answer your questions, explain your legal rights and discuss what the best options available to you and your family are going forward.

For more information about Mike Love & Associates, LLC, check out our FAQ page. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney at our firm, give us a call or fill out the online contact form on this page today.