A significant percentage of truck accidents lead to serious injuries and fatalities because of the size and weight of trucks. 5,700 trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2021 in the U.S.
Below are five factors that may have contributed to these accidents:
1. Distractions
A truck driver distracted by a cell phone, the radio, the GPS or food can cause an accident, as these factors take their attention from the road. For example, truck drivers depend heavily on GPS to identify their destination and trucking routes. If one focuses more on the system than on driving, they may cause an accident.
2. Inadequate training
A trucking company should hire competent drivers. But it should train them regularly to improve their driving techniques and knowledge of safety measures.
3. Driver fatigue
Irregular sleep patterns and prolonged work scheduling lead to truck driver fatigue. Like alcohol or other drugs, fatigue can affect a driver’s judgment, response time and decision-making abilities.
4. Systems of compensation
Trucking companies can indirectly encourage truck drivers to engage in dangerous behaviors to make more money. For example, if a company pays drivers based on the miles they complete, one may be tempted to speed, run red lights or fail to yield to other road users to complete more miles.
5. Unrealistic expectations
Some truck drivers face unfair expectations from their employers. They may be asked to deliver cargo within an unrealistic deadline. This may lead to risky behaviors that can lead to an accident.
If you are injured by a truck driver, you should obtain more information about your case to get just compensation.
