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Truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons and when they happen, passenger vehicle occupants may receive catastrophic injuries and long-lasting psychological trauma. Get the facts on what causes truck accidents so you know what to look out for on the road.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found common factors that contribute to truck accidents.
The study found several critical reasons that contributed to a truck accident. In this study “critical reason” is defined as “the reason that led to the critical event of the accident.” The critical event is defined as “the event that put the vehicle on a course that made the collision unavoidable.”
Top critical reasons for truck accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:
Driver was driving too fast for conditions, misjudged the speed of other vehicles, or followed other vehicles too closely.
Driver was inattentive or distracted.
Driver fell asleep or became suddenly disabled or impaired.
Hours-of-Service Regulations
Since many of the critical reasons for truck accidents involve driver error, the FMCSA has put in place hours-of-service regulations in an attempt to make the roadways safer for truck drivers and motorists alike. The regulations for property-carrying drivers include:
May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
May only drive if eight hours or less have passed since the end of the driver’s last off-duty or sleeping break period of at least 30 minutes.
May not drive after 60-70 hours of duty in 7-8 consecutive days. A driver may start a 7-8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off-duty.
Unfortunately, truck drivers often ignore these hours-of-service regulations, whether due to financial incentives for completing a route ahead of schedule or due to pressure from their employer. Whatever the reason, it’s never worth sacrificing the health and wellness of another.
If you have been injured in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, our Alabama truck accident attorneys are here for you. We’re prepared to go up against the large insurance companies and litigators to fight for the outcome you deserve.
Contact Cunningham Bounds, LLC at (844) 417-0930 for a consultation today.