Common Causes of Truck Accidents

It’s not surprising that truck accidents are among the deadliest on our roadways. The massive size and weight differential between semi-trucks and our own vehicles play an important and obvious role in this fact. Truck accidents, nevertheless, happen, and they are often caused by truck driver error and by trucking companies that cut corners. Our economy is such that the trucking industry often reaps substantial profits, but the industry must also always adhere to strict safety regulations, and truck drivers are professional drivers who must be held to more stringent safety standards.

Fatigued Truckers

Because the trucking industry is taxed and overworked in recent years, trucking companies sometimes bend the rules related to hours behind the wheel to keep their drivers on the road past safe limitations – and truck drivers sometimes make these dangerous decisions on their own. Fatigued truckers, however, are dangerous, and they endanger other motorists on the roads due to a lack of focus, the risk of falling asleep, and other factors.

Accommodating the Weather

Truck drivers are responsible for carefully adhering to the rules of the road, and this includes adjusting their speed to accommodate for changing weather conditions. When roadways are made slick and slippery by inclement weather, truck drivers often need to reduce their speed dramatically. The massive size and weight of a loaded semi at highway speeds make for a lengthy stopping distance, to begin with. When you add in icy or otherwise slippery roads, it can spell disaster when a truck driver is going too fast.

Tire Blowouts

Well-maintained tires are essential to a truck driver’s ability to control his or her vehicle. When one of the tires on a semi-truck blows, it not only diminishes the truck driver’s ability to keep the truck under control but also rockets tire debris into traffic. If you’ve ever shared the road with a semi-truck that blew a tire, you know exactly how frightening that can be. When accidents ensue, they are often extremely dangerous.

No-Zones

The massive trucks that share our highways also have massive blind spots that are referred to as no-zones. No-zones are located all the way around a tractor-trailer, including:

• The area directly in front of the cab
• A fairly large area on the truck’s left
• A larger area that radiates out from the truck’s right (never pass a truck on the right for this very reason)
• The area directly behind the truck’s trailer

When you travel in one of a truck’s no-zones, the trucker cannot see you and may have no idea that you’re there. Deadly accidents can result.

If You’ve Been Injured in a Truck Accident, Consult with an Experienced New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Truck accidents are serious accidents that often lead to serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, attorney Scott G. Leonard at the Leonard Legal Group – proudly serving the entire state of New Jersey with offices located in Morristown and Franklin Lakes, New Jersey – is on your side. Mr. Leonard has the experience, dedication, and determination to advocate for your rights and for your rightful compensation. We’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact or call us for more information today.