The serious results of a collision with a large truck cannot be understated. Catastrophic injuries are the likely outcome for drivers involved in these unfortunate accidents. A myriad of injuries can occur, leaving you unable to work, unable to perform day-to-day functions and faced with the likelihood of a permanent disability.
Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, fractures and loss of limbs are among the possible injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) reported that an estimated 151,000 people were injured and nearly 5,000 others died in large truck accidents in 2018.
Inexperienced drivers, poorly maintained fleets
Why do these accidents happen? There are so many reasons. However, in many of them, the blame rests squarely on the truck driver as well as the truck-driving company. Negligence often points at them. Here is a list of some of those reasons:
- A poorly trained or inexperienced truck driver: Trucking companies must hire the right people and properly train them. Maneuvering a big-rig truck is not easy, and it takes time to properly drive one. Investing in their drivers by providing sufficient training is critical.
- Fatigue and drowsiness: Truck drivers often work long hours, attempting to meet deadlines in transporting cargo. They are under pressure and, sometimes, do not get enough sleep while working in a job that takes a physical toll.
- Reckless driving: Sometimes, motorists must face aggressive, irresponsible and law-breaking truck drivers on the road. Do your best to stay away from them.
- Alcohol and drug abuse: The use of vices like these cause accidents. Alcohol along with marijuana, methamphetamine and cocaine have no place inside a truck’s cab, but some drivers continue to abuse them.
- Distracted drivers: Even before the introduction of smartphones, a rash of distracted driving-related collisions occurred.
- Improperly maintained trucking fleets and defective parts: These two often go hand-in-hand. A trucking company must rely on skilled and dependable mechanics to maintain and repair their vehicles. At the same time, parts companies must supply components that work.
- Trucks not loaded properly: Shifting cargo can cause trailers to overturn, leading to major accidents.
Nearly every day, motorists must share the roads with large trucks that weigh several tons. At any moment, one of these huge vehicles can cause an accident that upends your life.
