The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported a 20 percent increase in
trucking accidents in the last 20 years. Although the commercial truck industry is a multi-billion
dollar industry, the accidents involving these large vehicles can result
in serious
injury and, in some cases, death. In this blog, our
Fort Worth truck accident attorney explains the most common causes of trucking accidents.
Driver Error
According to the FMCSA, driver error is ten times more likely to be the
cause of a trucking accident than any other factor. A driver error can
include distraction, exhaustion, or drug and alcohol abuse. Any one of
these factors alone can seriously impair a driver’s ability to operate
a large commercial truck.
Equipment Failure
Although the FMCSA requires all truck drivers to follow safety regulations,
some drivers fail to perform yearly quality inspection checks on their
trucks, which can result in an equipment failure while driving. Equipment
failure can range from a manufacturing error such as defective tires to
mechanical issues such as improperly maintained brakes.
Weather
Tumultuous weather conditions can pose a big risk on road safety. High
wind speeds can cause the trailer of a semi-truck to flip over and heavy
rain or snow can greatly reduce visibility for truck drivers. Because
the truck’s size and weight is 20 times larger than that of a normal
passenger vehicle, it’s extremely difficult for trucks to brake
abruptly should the weather cause an unexpected road block.
Improper Loading
Trucks often carry an extremely heavy cargo and if loaded improperly, it
can lead to a catastrophic accident. A load that is not balanced can cause
the trailer to flip over and loads that are not properly secured can fall
off the bed of the truck towards any vehicles driving behind it.
Our Fort Worth
trucking accident attorneys at the
Law Office of James M. Stanley have been advocating for the wrongfully injured since 1976. We offer home
and hospital visits and provide around-the-clock legal assistance. Call
us today at (817) 591-4222 or fill out our online form to schedule
your free consultation.