Truck accidents are a regular occurrence in Virginia that snarl traffic and cause serious injuries and fatalities. The following are four common causes of truck crashes.
Safety defects
Safety defects are a major cause of truck crashes. Truckers and their employers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles so that they can operate safely.
If a defect develops because of poor maintenance, and this defect causes an accident that injures others, the driver and their employer could be held liable for the damages suffered by the injured.
Long hours
Truckers generally spend long hours on the road, often driving overnight. The federal government has regulations dictating how long a trucker can drive before taking a mandatory rest break, but these regulations are often ignored.
Long hours on the road can make a trucker drowsy. Lack of sleep is a major contributor to truck crashes in our nation.
Distractions/inattention
Distracted driving can be a problem for anyone and truckers are no exception. Using a cellphone, eating or adjusting the GPS or radio can all distract a trucker from the task of driving.
Truckers can also daydream or fall into “highway hypnosis.” Distracted or inattentive driving can cause a trucker to crash into another vehicle.
Speeding on poor road conditions
Truckers must watch their speed. The size of their vehicle makes it more difficult to come to a quick stop.
Some trucks are equipped with features that cap their speed. Even so, depending on road and weather conditions, trucks may need to slow down even more to adjust for slick or bumpy roads. The failure to do so could lead to a truck crash.
After a crash
The days and weeks after a truck crash can be disorienting, especially if you are seriously injured. A negligent trucker should be held responsible for the crash that caused you to suffer major damages.