What are the Main Causes of Truck Accidents?

Unfortunately truck accidents are common in Tennessee, our Manchester personal injury attorneys want you to be aware of the potential risks.

With our close proximity to several major interstates and highways, it is not uncommon for truck traffic to be heavy through Manchester. While people depend on semi trucks, tractor trailers, and other big rigs for jobs and to supply much needed products to the area, the greater the number of these vehicles on the road, the more likely it is that truck accidents will occur. While the height and weight of most semi trucks serve to protect the driver, it is often other motorists who suffer the greatest harm when these vehicles crash. Being aware of how these accidents happen and the common causes can help reduce your risk of injury.

Five Common Truck Accident Causes

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the lead government agency responsible for monitoring and regulating commercial vehicles. According to traffic crash reports, close to 4,000 truck accidents occur each year throughout the United States. The FMCSA reports that there are five common causes:

Driver error: Reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding, disregarding traffic signs or signals, distracted driving, and driving under the influence, all put motorists at risk.
Driver inexperience : Driving a truck takes complex skills. Drivers who have not been properly trained lack the experience and knowledge to know the potential dangers, such as going too fast on curves and making too tight of turns.
Improper loading: Overweight loads or unevenly stacking cargo can all make a truck unbalanced. Shifts in weight while traveling or making turns can cause truck rollover accidents.
Improper maintenance: Failure to check the tires, brakes, engine fluids, and to secure loose parts on a truck can make accidents more likely to occur.
Dangerous trucking company practices: Trucking companies share a portion of the blame for truck accidents when they engage in practices such as not giving truckers breaks or time off, or demanding that they meet impossibly tight schedules.

Depending on the type of truck accident and the contributing causes, both the driver and the company they work for may be held accountable for the damages you suffer through a personal injury claim.

Reduce Your Truck Accident Risk

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (DOT) , roughly 70 truck accidents happen in Coffee County alone each year, while hundreds of others occur in the surrounding areas. To reduce your risks, take the following precautions:

Avoid traveling too closely behind a truck, where the driver may have difficulty seeing you;
Switch lanes if a truck is following you too closely, swerving, or going above the speed;
Avoid driving directly next to a truck on either the driver or passenger side, which could put you in their blind spot;
Allow plenty of room and indicate in advance if you intend to pass.

Reach Out to Our Manchester Personal Injury Attorney

Truck accidents can end up causing serious and potentially life threatening injuries. At the Law Offices of Burch & Stewart, we provide the aggressive representation you need to get compensation. To find out how we can help you, contact our Manchester personal injury attorney and request a consultation today.