If you’ve ever driven along the highway and had to pass a huge 18-wheeler then you’ve probably experienced that feeling of dread and concern as you move up alongside it. For just a few short moments you feel vulnerable and your mind starts racing – have they seen you? Have you passed their blind spot? What if they crash into us?
Sadly for many motorists, an accident with a truck is a sobering reality. Thousands of road collisions involving 18-wheelers and cars happen every single year, leaving behind a trail of devastation and often catastrophic injuries for those who survive – speak to a truck accident injury law firm if you’ve been involved in a road collision with a truck that shouldn’t have happened.
But why do these accidents keep occurring? And what can we as motorists do to avoid them? Here we’ll explore the frightening reasons why truck accidents happen.
Fatigue
We all know how difficult it is to stay awake, especially when we’ve had a busy day. When your bed is calling, it’s difficult to ignore. However, if you’re in a 40-tonne truck hurtling down the freeway, fatigue is something you have to battle with every day. Especially if you’re driving a long distance.
All truckers are required to take breaks to keep themselves awake and alert on the road, however, if truckers are feeling the pressure of delivering goods on time then they may be tempted to skip their breaks. A lack of concentration, control and coordination is usually what happens before a crash.
Poor driver training
Not just anyone can drive a truck, it takes years of high-quality training and practice before many companies will even consider hiring someone. However, not all companies adhere to these standards or regulations. If a company is allowing inexperienced drivers to drive their trucks on the roads, then they’re putting others at risk.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving takes many forms. From using your phone behind the wheel to adjusting the controls of your vehicle, even watching movies on your smart device or eating and drinking. Someone doing this behind the wheel of a car is one thing, but a trucker who isn’t paying attention or focusing on the road ahead could have devastating consequences. If they’re not concentrating on the road then they may not spot a hazard until it’s too late.
Speeding
Haulage companies and their drivers are under strict deadlines and schedules, which means every minute on the road counts. If a driver is worried that their delivery is going to be late or if they’re trying to make up for lost time after being caught up in traffic, then they may be tempted to speed to get back on schedule. Failing to adhere to speed limits is putting other road users at risk, as it makes losing control of the rig more likely, and shortens their stopping distance.
Final thoughts…
If you’ve been involved in a road collision involving a truck, don’t suffer in silence. Speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss what happened.
