Learn More About the Causes of Truck Accidents

What are the leading causes of truck accidents?

Truck Accident Lawyers Explain How Negligence Causes 18 Wheeler Crashes:

Truck accidents can ruin the lives of those involved, especially passenger vehicle occupants who are a part of collisions between 18-wheelers and automobiles. Several factors can contribute to a truck accident, including negligence by trucking companies and their drivers.

The truck accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can help if you or someone you love was the victim of an accident resulting from a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence. Mike Love, our law firm’s founding partner, owned a trucking business earlier in his career. Mike’s trucking company, based in Angelina County, specialized in hauling heavy loads. During his time in the trucking business, Mike always ensured that his company prioritized safety and adhered to trucking industry rules and regulations above all else.

Mike’s time in the trucking business allowed him to see how, in many cases, others within the trucking industry were not prioritizing safety and were instead engaging in dangerous practices to help their bottom line. Mike has applied his lessons from working in the trucking business to give his clients an edge in identifying the key evidence that proves a trucker or trucking company was at fault in an 18-wheeler accident.

Common causes of truck accidents:

Several factors can lead to a truck accident. Common causes of truck accidents include, but are not limited to the following:

• Distracted Driving – No one, especially truck drivers, should engage in other activities while driving. Examples of distracted driving include eating, texting, talking to passengers or on the phone, adjusting the radio/CD player/MP3 player, or operating a GPS while driving. At the same time, tiredness is another form of distracted driving that often causes trucking accidents because truckers are often pressured to break the rules and drive longer hours than they are sure they can complete the load on time.

• Inadequately Trained Truckers – It costs a company time and money to ensure that its drivers are adequately trained. Many companies fail to conduct thorough background checks, call references, or administer driving tests on new hires. However, this can lead to truckers getting behind the wheel after receiving inadequate training or lacking real-world truck driving experience. Having a driver operating a tractor-trailer truck who is not yet familiar with or comfortable driving the vehicle is a recipe for disaster.

• Inadequately Supervised Truckers—With today’s GPS tracking and electronic engine monitor technology, trucking companies can monitor every move their drivers make and reprimand or even fire drivers for being unsafe. Many trucking companies often overlook their drivers’ dangerous habits because it allows them to make more money by getting their drivers to their destinations quickly and then moving on to the next load.

• Poorly Maintained 18 Wheelers – According to federal guidelines, Tractor-trailer trucks must be properly inspected and maintained while in use. In some cases, this includes truckers and trucking companies inspecting the vehicles daily. The reason for such strict maintenance and inspection regulations is that if a semi-truck suffers a brake malfunction, tire blowout, engine failure, or some other mechanical issue, it can lead to a catastrophic accident.

• Unsecured Loads – Tractor-trailer trucks carry massive cargo across great distances at high speeds. Cargo on semi-trucks must be secured because it could lead to tragedy if it is not properly secured. Unfortunately, those who load trucks sometimes do not do it properly. This can be due to being rushed because of a tight schedule or being inexperienced and not understanding how to distribute weight properly while packing a truck. Either way, if a load is not secure or the load weight is not distributed correctly, it can lead to jackknife accidents and truck rollovers.

• Drunk or Drugged Driving – Driving while under the influence of alcohol, illegal narcotics, or specific prescription or over-the-counter medications is extremely dangerous. Drivers can fall asleep while driving if a medication causes drowsiness or loss of coordination, or if they are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Free consultation with experienced truck accident lawyers in Texas.

Refrain from facing a trucking company, its insurer, and a high-priced team of attorneys. The experienced Lufkin truck accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC, can help you. We have been successfully defending the rights of truck accident victims and their families throughout Texas for years. Please speak to us for free about your case. We will answer your questions, explain your legal rights, and discuss the best options for you and your family moving forward.

Check out our FAQ page for more information about Mike Love & Associates, LLC. If you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney at our firm, please give us a call or fill out the online contact form on this page today.