Each year, thousands of large trucks are involved in accidents. Illinois is no stranger to these wrecks.
Every day we see trucks racing along our roads, and some of them end up colliding with smaller vehicles. Michael J. Lichner can help accident victims as they seek compensation following a collision. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Joliet truck accident lawyer.
Below, we look at common causes of truck accidents. Although each accident is unique, there are some common reasons these big rigs crash with lighter vehicles.
Trucker Fatigue
Truckers work long hours at jobs which can lead to mental burnout. Trucker driver fatigue is a major problem, which is why the federal government adopted “hours of service” restrictions for truckers who haul goods or people. These rules set a maximum limit on the number of hours a trucker can work or haul in a day and week.
Truck driver fatigue can lead to all sorts of impairments:
- Delayed reflexes. A trucker might see a vehicle stop up ahead but not slam the brakes in time because their reflexes are delayed.
- Poor decision-making. A tired trucker will make riskier choices, such as running a red light or speeding to get to their destination.
- Impaired coordination. Even if a trucker sees a problem up ahead, he might be unable to spin the wheel in a coordinated fashion to avoid a wreck.
- Unconsciousness. If a trucker nods off for a couple of seconds while hauling, that might be all the time that’s needed for the truck to slam into a pedestrian or motorist.
Few truckers admit they are tired. But we can ask to see data from the truck which should show how long the vehicle was in motion. This evidence might show a violation of the hours-of-service requirements and that truck driver fatigue contributed to your wreck.
Trucker Distraction
Truck drivers face many distractions while in the cab:
- Cell phones
- GPS devices
- Dispatching devices
- Food or drink
- Guests in the cab
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has banned hand-held cell phones. However, even so-called “hands-free” devices can lead to distraction. Cognitive distraction is a real problem. Even a short cell phone conversation can leave a trucker distracted for up to half a minute. The risk of a collision goes up.
Substance Abuse
Too many truckers are abusing substances. This is a lonely profession, and some turn to drugs to get through their shift. Others only do drugs when off duty, but they are impaired when they finally report to work. An intoxicated motorist can make numerous mistakes behind the wheel, any of which can lead to an accident.
Trucking companies are required to regularly test their employees:
- Pre-employment screening
- Random testing throughout the year
- Whenever the employer has reasonable suspicion a trucker is under the influence
- After most accidents
- Before a trucker returns to duty after suspension
In 2023, there were 61,443 positive drug tests in the trucking profession. Some of the most common drugs include alcohol, marijuana, and methamphetamine.
Speeding or Driving Too Fast for Conditions
Because truckers face intense pressure to get to their destination, some will speed. A speeding rig needs more space to come to a complete stop. Override accidents are a foreseeable result when a trucker is going too fast, where the truck will ride up onto a smaller vehicle caught in the way.
Jackknife accidents are another common accident with speeding trucks. A tractor-trailer might fold into itself when a trucker tries to brake.
Blind Spot Accidents
Large trucks have large blind spots. The blind spot at the front of a tractor-trailer is roughly 20 feet, and any smaller vehicle in the spot will be invisible.
There are blind spots on all four sides. The one on the right-hand side is almost two full lanes in width. So many drivers out on the freeway are unaware of the size of these blind spots, and they might hang out in a spot for miles instead of passing quickly.
Collisions often happen when the trucker is making a lane change. Suddenly, the vehicle in the blind spot cannot get out of the way and gets run over.
Truck Defects
Any number of defects on the truck could make it dangerous to drive. Before and after each trip, the trucker should undertake a thorough inspection of the vehicle. And truckers shouldn’t pull onto the road if they see a defect. Unfortunately, some truckers cut corners and don’t perform the necessary inspections, or they overlook a problem, which then causes a collision.
Some defects include:
- Braking problems
- Worn tires that might explode
- Burnt-out headlights
- Defective wipers
Were You Injured in a Truck Accident?
Truck accident injuries tend to be serious. Trucks are so large that they can destroy lighter vehicles. A sedan or SUV could crumple when struck by a multi-ton truck.
The key to winning a case is proving liability for the collision. This is where our law firm can make a difference. Most victims are in pain waiting for an ambulance. They have no idea what led to their collision. Our firm can jump in and begin reviewing all evidence, including witness statements or any physical evidence at the scene. Then we can bring a lawsuit or injury claim for your truck accident injuries.
Contact Michael J. Lichner Today
Truck accident victims deserve fair compensation when a negligent trucker causes their accident.
Our truck accident lawyer, Michael J.Lichner, can help. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation.