Most professional truck drivers and the companies that employ them adhere to strict safety standards and don’t create a road hazard; however, various factors can lead to a truck accident that seriously injures people in passenger vehicles. Sometimes the issue is the fault of the driver and other times the fault is on the company. Sometimes both are to blame.
Driving Too Fast for Conditions
Drivers may race against the clock to pick up or deliver a load on time, worrying that being late will cost them their job. Trucking companies may schedule pick ups and deliveries in too close of a time frame, making timely arrival barely possible. In other instances, an unexpected detour adds more mileage and prompts the driver to move too quickly for the road and traffic conditions. Trying to stick to a precise schedule when it’s snowing or raining heavily is another risk factor for accidents.
Driving While Fatigued
Sometimes fatigue winds up being an unavoidable part of an over-the-road truck driver’s job. Having an unpredictable schedule can cause problems sleeping at odd hours, leading to fatigue while driving.
Another factor involves trucking companies that pressure their drivers to stay on the road more than is legally allowed; those drivers have to fudge their logbooks and try to stay awake and coherent behind the wheel. This is a substantial risk factor for a collision.
Some drivers take amphetamines to stay awake when they should be sleeping. This can lead to questionable decision making and aggressive behaviour on the road.
Using Equipment in Poorly Maintained Condition
Sometimes a trucking company tries to save money by delaying essential maintenance and repair work. The drivers may not even be aware this is happening until something goes wrong on the highway and a truck accident occurs.
A person who has been seriously injured after the passenger car was hit by a semi or other heavy truck may want to talk with a personal injury lawyer. A firm such as David S. Kohm & Associates offers free consultations and is even available to speak with the prospective client at all hours of the day. More information can be learned at the website.
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