Common Causes of Truck Accidents

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Collisions with large commercial vehicles are potentially life-changing experiences. Most commercial vehicles on the road are so large and heavy that they can flatten a lighter passenger vehicle. Collisions with these vehicles can be catastrophic, many motorists end up with permanent disabilities.

If you were involved in a truck accident in South Carolina, you deserve compensation when a negligent trucker or trucking company is to blame. Call Trey Harrell today. Our firm has negotiated generous settlements for many accident victims, and a Charleston truck accident lawyer at our firm is happy to explain what steps to take next.

What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Accidents happen for many reasons. Here are some of the most common.

Trucker Distraction

Truckers contend with many distractions while out on the road:

  • Passengers
  • Cell phones
  • Maps
  • Electronic devices
  • Food and drink
  • Billboards and other external distractions

Truckers are more likely to crash when their eyes are off the road. They will not see a car stopped up ahead or an upcoming construction zone. If they are driving at high speeds when they crash into another vehicle, it can cause devastating injuries.

The government has tried to limit distractions. As an example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prohibits hand-held cell phones, but even “hands-free” devices distract truckers.

Speeding or Driving Too Fast for Conditions

Heavier vehicles need more time to come to a complete stop. They need even more time if they are speeding. Unfortunately, truckers are often in a rush to get to their destinations, so they drive too fast, which can lead to a wreck.

Chemical Impairment

Truckers are tested regularly for alcohol and substance abuse. Some are tested at random each month, while others are tested whenever they get into certain accidents. An alarming number of truckers fail drug tests. In 2023, more than 60,000 truckers failed tests for marijuana and other common substances.

A trucker should be suspended if they fail, and a trucking company should not let them back on the road until they complete a process.

Unfortunately, some trucking companies might cut corners and send a trucker back out behind the wheel of a right, even if the suspect the driver is impaired.

Intoxication and drug use lead to all sorts of problems:

  • Risk-taking
  • Poor decisions
  • Impaired movement
  • Delayed reflexes
  • Increased road rage
  • Hallucinations
  • Increased fatigue

If you suspect a trucker is impaired after an accident, be sure to tell the police officer. They can investigate and possibly have the trucker give a breath or urine sample.

Trucker Fatigue

Long haulers are on the road for more than 10 hours a day. Trucking is mentally taxing, and it’s easy for a trucker to drive for too long.

The federal government has limited the number of hours a trucker can work. For example, a trucker who hauls goods cannot drive past the 14th hour on duty each day. These hours-of-service regulations are designed to keep truckers from falling asleep behind the wheel and colliding with innocent people at high speeds.

Sadly, some truckers drive for too many hours and falsify their logbooks. Let us investigate whether a fatigued trucker caused your truck accident in South Carolina. Some companies push their truckers past the limit.

Defective Parts on the Truck

Any number of parts could fail on a big rig, rendering it completely unstable. Some faulty parts include:

  • Tires that explode;
  • Brakes that fail;
  • Engines that do not smoothly generate power;
  • Chassis that is cracked or vulnerable;
  • Lights that do not work.

When a part is defective, then fault could rest with one or more entities. For example, the company that owns the truck is liable for putting a dangerous vehicle on the road. They need to make sure their trucks are safe to drive.

In other cases, a manufacturer could share the blame. A design flaw or manufacturing flaw could render the part dangerous.

In other situations, a mechanic could be legally liable for poor repair work. We would like to inspect the truck, if possible, to check for defects. Call a Charleston truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Overloaded Trucks/Unbalanced Cargo

Cargo should be safely secured and properly balanced. A tractor-trailer, for example, could roll onto its side if the cargo isn’t evenly distributed.

A trucker needs to ensure the truck is safe to drive, but ultimate liability for the accident could rest with the company that loaded the cargo. A sudden shift could lead to a jackknife or other accident.

Negligent Hiring or Supervision

A trucking company might have liability for an accident because they were careless in how they hired or supervised a trucker:

  • Failing to perform a background check or ignoring obvious red flags, like prior speeding tickets;
  • Neglecting to call references or ignoring a negative reference;
  • Hiring someone who hasn’t passed a necessary physical exam;
  • Failing to suspend a trucker for a failed drug test;
  • Not performing required drug tests;
  • Incentivizing driving too long or falsifying a trucker’s log books.

Any of these acts or omissions could jeopardize public safety. A trucking company could be legally liable for a collision.

Tailgating or Cutting Off a Truck

Sometimes victims contribute to their accidents. For example, you might have cut off the truck, which led to an override. Or you were tailgating when the truck came to a sudden stop, and you slid under a trailer because you could not brake in time.

If you are partially to blame, you will see a reduction in the compensation you receive. You might also be prohibited from receiving anything. South Carolina limits a victim’s comparative negligence to 50%. If you go over, then you will likely receive $0.

Speak with a Charleston Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Trey Harrell is a seasoned attorney who has helped many accident victims take strides forward following an accident. If you were hurt in a truck collision, contact our firm. You can schedule a free consultation where you can discuss what happened and ask any question you want. Our goal is to provide the highest level of service to our accident clients in Charleston. Remember Trey Helps!

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