Top Causes of Truck Accidents and How to Avoid Them

When an 80,000-pound commercial truck collides with a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle, the results are rarely minor. The sheer physics of these accidents create devastating consequences for everyone involved, particularly occupants of smaller vehicles. Each year, thousands of Americans are killed or seriously injured in truck accidents that transform lives in an instant.

The trucking industry forms the backbone of our economy, with millions of commercial vehicles traversing our highways daily. Yet this vital transportation system comes with serious risks.

This article explains the most common causes of truck accidents, what steps to take if you’re involved in one, how to prevent them, and why safety matters for all drivers.

What Are The Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents pose serious risks to drivers and passengers alike. Some of the most common causes include:

Driver Fatigue

Despite federal regulations limiting driving hours, fatigue remains one of the leading causes of truck accidents. The monotony of long-haul driving, combined with pressure to meet delivery deadlines, often pushes drivers beyond their limits. 

A truck driver who has been awake for 18 hours experiences impairment equivalent to someone with a 0.08% blood alcohol concentration, legally drunk in most states.

Distracted Driving

The cab of a modern truck is filled with potential distractions. GPS devices, dispatch communications, smartphones, and even meals consumed on the go all compete for a driver’s attention. 

Taking eyes off the road for just five seconds while traveling at 55 mph means covering the length of a football field essentially blindfolded. Commercial drivers often spend entire workdays behind the wheel, making the temptation to multitask particularly strong.

Speeding or Aggressive Driving

When an 18-wheeler travels above the speed limit, both stopping distance and crash severity increase dramatically. At 65 mph, a fully loaded truck requires approximately 525 feet to stop, nearly two football fields, under ideal conditions.

Aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, frequent lane changes, and sudden braking are particularly dangerous with large trucks due to their size and mass. These vehicles cannot maneuver as nimbly as passenger cars.

Mechanical Failures

A single mechanical failure in a truck’s complex systems can lead to catastrophe. Brake failures account for nearly 30% of all truck-related mechanical issues leading to accidents. 

Other common problems include tire blowouts, steering mechanism failures, transmission malfunctions, coupling device defects, and light or signal failures. Regular maintenance and pre-trip inspections are essential safeguards against these preventable failures.

Poor Weather Conditions

Bad weather significantly amplifies the risks of truck driving. Heavy rain reduces visibility and creates slick surfaces that extend stopping distances. Snow and ice make controlling large vehicles exceptionally difficult, particularly on hills or curves. Even high winds can push tall, lightweight trailers sideways, potentially causing jackknifing or rollovers.

Improperly Loaded Cargo

Cargo that isn’t properly secured can shift during transport, destabilizing the entire vehicle. Top-heavy loads increase rollover risk, especially during turns or evasive maneuvers. Federal regulations specify exact requirements for securing different types of cargo, but violations remain common in the industry.

Inexperienced Drivers

The ongoing truck driver shortage has led some companies to put inexperienced drivers behind the wheel without adequate training. Industry data shows that drivers with less than five years of experience have significantly higher accident rates than their more seasoned counterparts.

Negligent Drivers of Other Vehicles

Not all truck accidents are the fault of the truck driver. Passenger vehicle drivers often create dangerous situations by cutting off trucks without leaving sufficient space, driving in blind spots, following too closely behind trucks, passing improperly, or failing to adjust their driving in adverse conditions.

What to Do After a Truck Accident?

Truck accidents can leave victims feeling overwhelmed and unsure of their next steps. Some of the most important actions to take include:

Ensure Safety and Get Medical Help

Your first priority after any accident is safety. Check yourself and passengers for injuries and call 911 immediately, even if injuries aren’t immediately apparent. 

If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic. Turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers. Place warning triangles or flares if available and it’s safe to do so.

Document Everything

Collect information from all drivers involved, including names and contact information, insurance details, license plate numbers, and company name and DOT number for the truck. 

Take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, get their contact information as their testimony could be valuable later. 

Never apologize or admit fault after an accident. Statements made at the scene can be used against you later, even if you were not actually at fault.

Get Thorough Medical Evaluation

Even if you feel fine, get checked by a medical professional. Many serious injuries, including whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding, may not show symptoms immediately. Prompt medical attention creates documentation linking your injuries to the accident, which becomes crucial evidence for any future claims.

Report and Seek Legal Guidance

Notify your insurer about the accident as soon as possible. Provide the basic facts but avoid going into extensive detail until you’ve consulted with an attorney. 

Truck accident cases are significantly more complex than typical car accidents. They often involve multiple potentially liable parties, including the driver, trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, and manufacturers. An experienced truck accident attorney can help navigate these complexities.

If you need a Boston Truck Accident Attorney, DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers is the best choice. They offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they win your case.

How to Avoid Truck Accidents?

Follow Rest Break Rules

For commercial drivers, strict adherence to hours-of-service regulations is essential. These rules exist to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Drivers should never push beyond legal limits, regardless of delivery pressures or financial incentives.

Limit Distractions

Keep phones out of reach while driving and use hands-free devices only when necessary. Pre-program navigation systems before starting the journey. For meals, stop rather than eating while driving. The few minutes saved are never worth the risk.

Inspect Vehicles Regularly

Perform thorough pre-trip inspections before every journey. Check:

• Brakes and brake systems
• Tires and proper inflation
• Lights and signals
• Coupling devices and fifth wheel
• Mirrors and windshield wipers
• Loaded Cargo

Address any mechanical issues immediately, rather than postponing repairs.

Use Caution in Bad Weather

Reduce speed by at least one-third on wet roads and by half or more on snow or ice. If conditions become too dangerous, find a safe place to wait out the storm rather than pressing on.

Promote Awareness

All drivers should learn the special considerations for sharing the road with large trucks:

• Stay out of blind spots (if you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, the driver can’t see you)
• Never cut off a truck or force it to brake suddenly
• Pass quickly and safely, then allow plenty of space before merging back
• Give trucks extra room to make wide turns
• Be patient and avoid aggressive driving around large vehicles

Practicing these habits can reduce the risk of dangerous collisions and help keep everyone on the road safer.

Conclusion

Truck accidents represent some of the most devastating collisions on our roadways, but many are preventable through proper training, maintenance, and awareness. 

By understanding the common causes and taking appropriate precautions, both commercial drivers and everyday motorists can help reduce these dangerous incidents.

If you’re in a truck accident, knowing the right steps to take can protect your health, legal rights, and finances. Always stay alert on the road, respect the challenges of driving near large trucks, and prioritize safety over convenience or schedules. The consequences of truck accidents are too serious to take safety lightly.