Semitrucks provide valuable services to businesses and individuals around this country. They move massive amounts of goods from one location to another, which helps to keep store shelves full and equipment where it needs to be.
While this service is important, it comes with great risks. Semitruck crashes can lead to considerable injuries for victims. If those victims opt to pursue a compensation claim, they will need to determine the cause. Some common causes of semitruck crashes include:
Trucker error
Truck drivers are human and can make mistakes behind the wheel. Trucker error includes things like distracted driving, speeding, following too closely or failing to check blind spots before changing lanes.
Because semitrucks are so large and heavy, even a small mistake can have huge consequences. For example, it takes a loaded truck much longer to stop than a passenger car. If a driver isn’t paying attention and reacts too late, a rear-end collision could happen.
HOS violations
Hours-of-service (HOS) rules are federal regulations that set limits on how many hours a trucker can be on duty and how long they must rest between shifts. For example, truckers typically can’t drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Violating these rules can lead to fatigued driving. Some drivers, or the companies they work for, may push limits to meet tight delivery schedules, putting everyone on the road at risk.
Unsafe rigs
Sometimes the problem is the truck itself. Semitrucks are complex machines that need regular maintenance and inspections. Unsafe rigs can include trucks with:
- Worn-out brakes
- Faulty tires
- Broken lights or signals
- Malfunctioning steering systems
- Unsecured cargo that shifts during transit
Determining the cause of the semitruck crash can help the victim know who to hold accountable for the crash. It may be beneficial to work with someone familiar with these matters because they can be rather complex.
