If you drive trucks for a living, you have a lot of responsibility on your hands. Being a truck driver can be an exciting job that involves constant travel on the road. However, there are some dangers involved with the job as well. This danger can impact other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, several truck accidents happen every year. Here’s a look at some of the common causes of truck accidents on the road.
Work Hour Violations
When you work as a truck driver you often may have to work very very long hours. Unfortunately, some companies do what they can to squeeze as much delivery time into a tired truck drivers’ day. Some companies require deliveries to be conducted within a short amount of time. So it doesn’t always leave drivers with enough time to get proper rest.
Driving Under Substance Influence
Unfortunately, some truck drivers get behind the wheel of a truck while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Whether you are driving a car or a truck, driving under the influence is illegal and can cause harm to you or another driver on the road. Driving under the influence while handling a truck is extra dangerous due to the amount of damage such a large vehicle can cause.
Failed Equipment
Like any other vehicle, sometimes a truck can be defective. Trucks are large vehicles with many moving parts. That is why it is imperative that truck drivers and companies make sure that trucks and the cargo inside have been thoroughly inspected, and functional correctly. If a wheel blows out or a part of the truck comes off while driving on the road, it can cause catastrophic consequences.
Driver Training
Ideally, a truck driver should undergo proper training. Driving a truck is simply not the same as driving a regular car on the road. As a matter of fact, a professional truck driver should get a special CDL license. However, if a company is trying to cut corners, they may allow drivers on the road who don’t have the proper experience to do so. Inexperienced truck drivers have a high probability of an accident.
An experienced driver knows how to manage bad weather, other drivers on the road, how to properly pace their rest breaks, and proper driving speeds.
Getting Too Close Semi Trucks
While driving a regular passenger vehicle, make sure you don’t get too close behind a semi truck on the road. If you follow a semi truck too closely, you won’t give it enough room to make turns or to maneuver when possible. Trucks need way more room to turn and brake than regular cars.
Consequences of Poor Truck Driving
Serious injuries can result from truck accidents. The most common injuries include spinal cord, back, neck, brain, burns, amputations, broken bones, lacerations, and internal injuries. If you ever end up in a truck accident, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. Contact truck accident lawyer today so you can get the legal representation you deserve in the event of a devastating truck accident.
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