Five common factors in large truck accidents

While the average passenger vehicle weighs 4,000 pounds, an 18-wheeler may be up to 80,000 pounds. Many accidents between trucks and passenger vehicles, then, end badly for occupants of the latter. Both for their own safety and the safety of others, truck drivers in Tennessee will want to know what the most common factors are in truck accidents and how to address them.

The first of these is driver error, which can include drunk, drowsy and distracted driving, speeding and running red lights. One study shows that 81% of error-related truck accidents are the fault of passenger vehicle drivers, so truckers need to practice defensive driving. They should keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, be patient and always signal turns.

A second common factor is poor vehicle maintenance. Truckers are supposed to inspect their rig before every shift and submit a vehicle maintenance report. If they neglect this, a component may fail and cause a crash. The third factor is equipment failure caused by defective parts. This would be the fault of manufacturers, not truckers.

Truckers must drive carefully in inclement weather, or they run the risk of hydroplaning or jackknifing. This is the fourth factor. Lastly, many truck accidents result from improperly loaded cargo falling out or causing the truck to tip over.

Those who are involved in truck collisions and survive may want to know if they can be compensated for their injuries. Chances are they are dealing with a permanent disability caused by a catastrophic injury; if their share in the blame is minimal, they may conceivably file a claim against the trucking company. Having legal assistance may be helpful, though, since trucking companies will have their own lawyers to fight the claim for them. Victims may schedule a case evaluation.