Causes of Truck Accidents

Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys

Truck accidents are infamous for causing catastrophic injury and death. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes specific regulations on the trucking industry in an attempt to reduce the amount of accidents that occur. Despite this, reckless truck drivers and irresponsible trucking companies continue to put motorists in danger every day.

Truck accidents can occur for a wide variety of reasons, but some of the more common causes are detailed below.

Fatigued Truck Drivers

Both Maryland state law and the FMCSA limit the amount of consecutive hours a trucker can operate their vehicle.

Unfortunately, driver fatigue is still the number one cause of truck accidents in America. Too many trucking companies impose unrealistic schedules on their drivers and pay them by the mile, encouraging them to reduce or completely skip their required rest hours. If a trucking company has played a role in perpetuating driver fatigue, they can also be held liable for an accident victim’s damages.

Inadequate Maintenance

Regular maintenance and inspections are essential in order to keep commercial vehicles safe on the open road. Accidents happen all too often because of overloaded trucks and tire failure, two problems that can easily be avoided by routine inspections. According to the FMCSA’s regulations, trucks must be thoroughly inspected at each stop to ensure:

The load is secure and balanced
The cargo does not exceed weight limits
Brakes are in working order
- Wheels are secure and tires are properly inflated

If a trucking company neglects to follow standard inspection and maintenance routines and an accident happens as a result, the company can and should be held liable for negligence.

Distracted Driving and Reckless Driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that over 25% of truck drivers who were involved in fatal accidents had previous convictions for speeding present on their driving record. Tractor-trailers are exceptionally dangerous when driven at high speeds because of their size and weight. They need more room to stop and can easily tip over if turns are taken too fast or too sharply.

In the same vein, distracted driving has become one of the biggest problems facing all motorists. Talking on a cell phone while driving seriously compromises a driver’s level of attention, and research consistently shows that texting while driving is even more dangerous that driving drunk. For truck drivers, any type of distracting activity will only amplify the odds of a serious accident taking place.

Other Causes of Truck Accidents

Besides the common issues described above, truck accidents can also be caused by: