What is the leading cause of truck accidents in the United States? Well, with the recent influx of arctic weather conditions, you may think it’s climate and road conditions. Although these factors play a part in trucking accidents, they are not the main cause of most serious commercial truck wrecks.
It turns out that driver error – be it from impaired driving, negligent driving habits, or exhausting work schedules – remains the leading cause of accidents nationwide.
Commercial truck drivers are 10 times more likely to be the cause of their own accidents when compared to weather, road conditions and vehicle performance. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) cited prescription medication, over-the-counter drugs, speeding, fatigue, and driver inattention as contributing factors leading to driver error, and an increase in serious commercial trucking accidents.
Of the many conditions that may affect truck drivers, the following were cited by the FMCSA as the most prevalent, and preventable:
– Fatigue – Drivers have required daily limits on drive time, and have federally mandated maximum hours they can drive daily, and per week. If driver fatigue played a part in your trucking accident or injury, the driver may have been in violation of the hours of service rules.
– Drug Use – Drivers are not supposed to use controlled substances without a prescription from a licensed physician, although many still do. Drivers are defeating drug testing synthetic urine, and circumventing the federal system. Although there are new laws in place to prevent such tampering, it still does occur.
– Driver Error/Negligence – Driver error can mean a number of different things. Many drivers fail to check blind spots when changing lanes or merging, many drive too fast or attach their trailers incorrectly. All of these factors can contribute to the cause of an accident and make the road less safe for those who use it.
Whether you’re a motorist who has been injured in a truck-related accident, or a trucker that has been accused of negligent driving, we have resources that can help. Contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights, and keep you safe on the road.
