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Common causes for commercial truck accidents

On Behalf of | Jun 10, 2022 | Uncategorized

The National Safety Council reported that 107,000 large trucks were involved in accidents involving injury in 2020. While no two accidents are the same, there are several common causes of accidents involving commercial trucks. Many of these causes relate to the negligent actions of the truck driver and their employer. Here are some of these causes.

Driver fatigue

Truck drivers are often expected to spend long hours on the road to make their deliveries on time. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration limits the number of consecutive hours that can be spent on the road and requires drivers to take regular breaks after cumulative hours of driving.

In addition to following these regulations, drivers are expected to get adequate rest and take breaks when they start to notice signs of drowsiness. Drowsy driving can cause trucks to veer off the road and collide with other vehicles.

Lack of training

Due to the unique characteristics of a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV), you must undergo extensive training and pass the necessary tests to acquire a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) before you can legally driver a CMV.

Drivers who have not undergone the training required to operate a commercial vehicle may be more likely to cause an accident, as they did not know the proper techniques to operate a commercial vehicle.

Speeding

Commercial trucks take more time to stop than standard passenger vehicles. As a result, the speed limits for trucks are typically lower than they are for other vehicles. Truck drivers who speed may have difficulty stopping their trucks to avoid an accident.

If you were involved in a truck accident because a truck driver’s negligence, you may deserve compensation. A personal injury attorney in the Somerset area can review your case and help you recover the damages you deserve.