Crashes and collisions involving semi trucks often result in those involved suffering serious and even fatal injuries. If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a traffic accident involving a large commercial truck, you may choose to take legal action. To prove fault and negligence, a central part of your case involves determining why an accident happened.
There are many different factors that can cause or contribute to a big rig crash, including:
Mechanical issues:
Problems with the truck or its components can lead to crashes. Some issues, such as brakes that fail or a faulty trailer locking system, are almost certain to lead to a crash. Other issues, such as a malfunctioning headlight, may make it difficult for the trucker to see at night.
The issues that come up with trucks and trailers can be the result of poor maintenance or defective parts. Figuring out what caused a crash can be challenging, but is necessary to ensure that the correct party is held liable and financially responsible.
Truck driver errors:
A truck driver’s actions can also lead to the crash. Truckers who are distracted or fatigued may not be as attentive and vigilant and are at an increased risk of being involved in a crash. Truckers must take steps to ensure that they aren’t driving aggressively or in an unsafe manner. Safety always has to be a priority, which is why truckers must obey federal safety guidelines like the Hours of Service rules.
Trucking company policies:
Some trucking companies establish policies that put profits before safety. These companies might set deadlines that don’t take traffic jams or trucker fatigue into account. They might promise deadlines that border on unrealistic. When this is the case, the trucking company might be held responsible for contributing to a crash.
Unsafe drivers:
Drivers who share the road with semi trucks can sometimes cause an accident, even if they aren’t directly involved in the accident. For example, a vehicles that cuts in front of a 18-wheeler truck can cause an accident, even if it isn’t intentional. The semi truck might rear end the vehicle or crash into another vehicle while trying to avoid an accident.
