{"id":1247,"date":"2021-07-21T12:48:25","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T19:48:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sjlawaustin.wpengine.com\/?p=1247"},"modified":"2024-03-08T06:03:19","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T12:03:19","slug":"top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 8 Causes of Large Truck Accidents"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#1_Driver_Fatigue\" title=\"1. Driver Fatigue\">1. Driver Fatigue<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#Driver_Logs\" title=\"Driver Logs\">Driver Logs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#Travel_Records\" title=\"Travel Records\">Travel Records<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#2_Unfamiliar_Roadway_or_Conditions\" title=\"2. Unfamiliar Roadway or Conditions\">2. Unfamiliar Roadway or Conditions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#3_Traffic_Flow\" title=\"3. Traffic Flow\">3. Traffic Flow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#4_Experience_and_Training\" title=\"4. Experience and Training\">4. Experience and Training<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#5_Vehicle_Maintenance\" title=\"5. Vehicle Maintenance\">5. Vehicle Maintenance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#6_Truck_Overloaded\" title=\"6. Truck Overloaded\">6. Truck Overloaded<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#7_Decision_and_Performance_Errors\" title=\"7. Decision and Performance Errors\">7. Decision and Performance Errors<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#Driver_Recognition_or_Decision_Errors\" title=\"Driver Recognition or Decision Errors\">Driver Recognition or Decision Errors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#Speed\" title=\"Speed\">Speed<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#8_Substance_Abuse\" title=\"8. Substance Abuse\">8. Substance Abuse<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/top-8-causes-of-large-truck-accidents\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Each year, thousands of people die or suffer from injuries in accidents involving semi-trucks and 18-wheelers. In many of these accidents, the company operating the semi-truck, as well as the truck\u2019s driver, made avoidable mistakes that lead to the crash. When looking into the cause of these accidents, investigators have found that drivers often made the same mistakes. In an analysis of over 1,000 truck accidents across the United States, the following mistakes were identified as some of the most common causes of large truck accidents. Unfortunately, many trucking companies make these mistakes in an effort to save money. If you or someone you know was hurt or injured in an accident involving a semi-truck, contact Sandoval &amp; James today, at <span style=\"color: #fe6a01; font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"tel:(512) 382-7707\">(512) 382-7707<\/a><\/span>, for a completely free consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Driver_Fatigue\"><\/span>1. Driver Fatigue<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Drivers spend countless hours on the road, and while federal regulations limit hours of service (HOS), violations still occur. Regulations stipulate exactly how many hours drivers are permitted to be behind the wheel in a given week to ensure that drivers are alert while on the road. A well-versed semi-truck accident lawyer will know exactly how to determine whether or not driver fatigue played a role in the accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"margin-left: 5%;\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Driver_Logs\"><\/span>Driver Logs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Preserving driver logs is one of the initial steps that the experienced semi-truck accident lawyers at Sandoval &amp; James know to take. This evidence should show how long the truck\u2019s driver was on the road that week and, more importantly, how many hours they had been driving on the day they caused the crash. \u201cHours of Service,\u201d or HOS for short, is the amount of time semi-truck drivers spend on the road. Unsurprisingly, it\u2019s been shown that high Hours of Service have had a direct effect on how alert the driver was at the time of the accident.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Travel_Records\"><\/span>Travel Records<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When the HOS logs are not properly maintained (or not maintained at all), Sandoval &amp; James\u2019 experienced Austin accident and injury attorneys know that the travel records can also help show just how much the semi-truck\u2019s driver had recently been on the road. If the driver of the semi-truck was dangerously fatigued, you must have a lawyer who knows how to prove it.<\/p>\n<p>If a semi-truck driver hit you, or someone you know, and you have reason to believe they were fatigued, please feel free to <a href=\"\/contact\/\">contact Sandoval &amp; James<\/a> for a free consultation with one of our experienced accident and injury attorneys. There is absolutely no cost to you for the consultation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Unfamiliar_Roadway_or_Conditions\"><\/span>2. Unfamiliar Roadway or Conditions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Oftentimes, truck drivers will drive the same route, yet the roads they drive on undergo constant changes. These changes can confuse even the most experienced truck drivers, leaving that driver to make a rushed decision that ultimately causes an accident. Common types of roadway changes that can lead to a crash include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Exit ramp closures or changes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Introduction of truck-free lanes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Varying speed limits for commercial vehicles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Construction to a roadway\u2019s setup or configuration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unexpected weather changes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Traffic_Flow\"><\/span>3. Traffic Flow<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Truck drivers also tend to cause crashes when the flow of traffic on a truck driver\u2019s typical route is suddenly different. Work zones that call for traffic to slow, holiday or accident congestion, and unexpected weather conditions can all cause traffic-flow issues. Semi-trucks can often require a significant amount of distance to stop, and truck drivers who are not prepared for sudden changes of speed (or having to stop rapidly) can cause serious accidents. It is estimated that truck drivers who are not prepared for sudden changes in traffic flow contribute to one in four 18-wheeler accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Experience_and_Training\"><\/span>4. Experience and Training<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Truckers operating large semi-trucks and tractor-trailers are required to be properly trained and licensed. However, merely going through the training and obtaining a license does not mean a new driver has the experience to <span style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; texxt-decoration: underline;\">safely<\/span> operate every type of semi-truck or to operate one in all conditions. Lack of experience has also been identified as a serious cause of accidents involving large commercial trucks, such as semi-trucks or big rigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Vehicle_Maintenance\"><\/span>5. Vehicle Maintenance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible for performing regular and scheduled maintenance and inspections on each truck in operation. Trucking companies that fail to inspect their trucks, or fail to address mechanical issues once they are identified, can cause devastating trucking accidents. Common mechanical failures experienced by semi-trucks or big rigs include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Hydraulic brake failures \u2013 identified as a contributing factor in nearly 30% of truck accidents, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/safety\/research-and-analysis\/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">federal studies<\/a>, due to:\n<ul>\n<li>Brakes being out of adjustment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Failure to brake<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tire Issues\n<ul>\n<li>Blown tires<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Change in air pressure affecting tires<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Mechanical failures with the semi-truck itself, such as engine, chassis, or suspension-related failures, have been identified as critical factors in nearly 10% of all large truck accidents. With the sheer number of semi-trucks traveling around and through our city, having an <a href=\"\/austin-texas-truck-accident-lawyer-near-me\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"25809\">Austin truck accident lawyer<\/a> to help if you\u2019re local is imperative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Truck_Overloaded\"><\/span>6. Truck Overloaded<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Semi-trucks and tractor-trailers are almost always transporting large loads of goods. If the truck driver, or their company, fails to properly secure the truck\u2019s load, the load can shift during transport. Load shifts can be extremely dangerous and potentially cause catastrophic crashes. This is especially true for tanker trucks that have a higher center of gravity. Also, when a semi-truck is carrying liquid, the liquid can quickly shift, causing a truck to roll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Decision_and_Performance_Errors\"><\/span>7. Decision and Performance Errors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Truck drivers often make split-second decisions while on the road, whether a person is operating a small commuter vehicle or an 18-wheel semi-truck. When these split decisions are made, the truck\u2019s driver will often (and sometimes, understandably) make an error in judgment that causes a crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"margin-left: 5%;\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Driver_Recognition_or_Decision_Errors\"><\/span>Driver Recognition or Decision Errors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Driver recognition and decision errors are two other common mistakes that lead to trucking accidents. This means that the accident is a direct result of the driver\u2019s action or inaction taken while operating their semi-truck. When the truck is at fault, driver recognition plays a role in 88% of crashes.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Speed\"><\/span>Speed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Truck drivers are also often under pressure to deliver loads within a certain amount of time. In fact, they are also compensated in whole or in part based on how quickly they can make a trip. This, of course, incentivizes these drivers to complete their trips quickly. The speed at which a driver decides to pull their load is also a contributing factor in many large truck accidents. Trucking companies know this, yet they continue to incentivize truck drives to complete their deliveries quickly. This is another example of trucking companies putting profit above safety \u2013 the safety of their drivers and the other drivers on the road.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Substance_Abuse\"><\/span>8. Substance Abuse<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While there has been an effort to crack down on substance abuse among truck drivers and commercial operators nationwide, evidence suggests that the use of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications commonly contribute to trucking-related accidents. Prescription drugs played a role in over 25% of accidents involving semi-trucks, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/safety\/research-and-analysis\/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">federal analysis<\/a> in 2007. It is the responsibility of the trucking companies to ensure that their truck drivers do not pose a safety risk while driving, due to the use of prescription medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Roughly 55% of all accidents involving large commercial trucks are the truck driver\u2019s fault. Due to the sheer size of these trucks and their trailers, even accidents at low speeds can result in serious injury. If you find yourself involved in an accident in the Austin area, you will need the help of a semi-truck accident lawyer who\u2019s familiar with these types of cases. The experienced accident and injury attorneys at <a href=\"\/\">Sandoval &amp; James<\/a> are here to help. Don\u2019t hesitate to <a href=\"\/contact\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/contact\/\">reach out to our team today<\/a> with further questions or inquiries. Initial consultations are completely free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Each year, thousands of people die or suffer from injuries in accidents involving semi-trucks and 18-wheelers. In many of these accidents, the company operating the semi-truck, as well as the truck\u2019s driver, made avoidable mistakes that lead to the crash.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30872,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1247"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36683,"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247\/revisions\/36683"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sj-lawfirm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}