What Causes Truck Accidents: 5 Common Causes
April 27, 2020
Most truck wrecks are caused by:
- Driver errors
- Trucking company policy or negligence
- Mechanical failures
- Road conditions
- Weather conditions
Top 5 Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents
One or more of the following factors typically causes most truck wrecks in the U.S.
Driver Errors
This can include the mistakes, oversights, and reckless actions of all drivers – truck drivers and other motorists – on the road. Roughly 94% of all motor vehicle accidents, including truck wrecks, are caused, at least in part, by some type of driver error.1
The most common driver errors and actions that contribute to truck accidents include:
- Drunk and/or drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving while excessively fatigued
- Speeding
Trucking Company Policy or Negligence
While many motor carriers operate safely and in full compliance with the law, not all of them do. Trucking companies may skirt or even break the law, creating dangerous conditions that can lead to truck accidents, by:
- Failing to check drivers’ credentials
- Failing to train or drug test drivers
- Forcing drivers to drive poorly maintained trucks
- Creating unrealistic delivery schedules
- Offering incentives for violating hours-of-service rules
- Forcing drivers to drive in adverse weather conditions
Mechanical Failures
Sometimes, faulty vehicle equipment prevents drivers from safely controlling trucks and/or cars, causing accidents. This can include anything from tire blowouts and brake failures to broken hitches and faulty brake lights.
Road Conditions
Slick roads, roads riddled with potholes, and debris in the roads are just some of the road conditions that commonly play a role in causing truck accidents. Others include missing signage, signs covered by overgrown vegetation, and broken traffic signals.
Weather Conditions
From fog and extreme heat to hail, frozen rain, and snowstorms, adverse weather can increase the risk of driver errors, mechanical failures, and poor road conditions. And that often means higher risks of truck accidents during adverse weather.
Trying to Determine the Cause of Your Truck Wreck? Contact the Amaro Law Firm
If you or someone you know has been hurt in a crash, you can count on a truck accident lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm for:
- Help determining the cause of your accident and holding the at-fault parties accountable
- Exceptional advocacy in the pursuit of justice and recovery.
Call (713) 955-5521 or Contact Us
for a Free, Confidential, No-Obligation Case Evaluation
At the Amaro Law Firm, we are known for providing the highest quality representation, and we always strive to get our clients the highest recoveries possible. While we understand that compensation cannot reverse the permanent impacts of serious wrecks, we also know that the recoveries from truck accident cases can help restore lives.
The Amaro Law Firm’s long-standing record of success and exceptional advocacy in truck accident cases has earned us 5-star ratings on Google and Facebook, excellent reviews, and a 10 rating on Avvo.
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1: According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)