Truck accidents can lead to significant injuries and even fatalities because of the size and force of these vehicles. Throughout the country in 2021, there were 494,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks, 22% of which resulted in injuries. Ohio sees its own share of truck accidents, with 3,969 of them occurring in 2022.
Although there are many reasons why truck accidents happen, some causes occur more frequently than others. Learn more about the five most common reasons behind trucking accidents in Ohio.
1. Distracted Driving
All drivers have to be completely focused on what they’re doing to notice hazards on the road. That’s particularly crucial for people operating large trucks because these vehicles require a significant amount of time to come to a complete stop.
A truck driver who’s texting, eating, drinking, or even changing radio stations will not be able to spot issues in time to avoid a collision. To prevent accidents, truckers must keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel at all times.
2. Fatigued Driving
Truckers spend hours driving. Despite the many regulations in place that limit the number of work hours truckers can legally be on duty, fatigued driving still occurs. Drivers may try to get to their destination faster and skip breaks to do so, or trucking companies may provide incentives for truckers to break regulations.
A fatigued driver is distracted as they operate the vehicle and is unlikely to notice hazards in time. They may even fall asleep at the wheel.
3. Intoxicated Driving
Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol will have impaired judgment, slower reflexes, and coordination issues. They may behave more recklessly, too, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Holders of commercial driving licenses have much stricter blood alcohol concentration limits. Even if they’re off duty, they can’t operate a truck if they have a BAC greater than 0.04%.
4. Speeding
Speeding truckers can cause catastrophic accidents. It’s dangerous for any vehicle to go faster than the speed limit or than road and weather conditions allow. However, with trucks, it’s an even greater risk because of their size and momentum.
Abruptly hitting the brakes won’t bring a tractor-trailer to an immediate stop. This means a collision can be unavoidable if a truck is speeding when a hazard appears on the road.
5. Improper Cargo Loading
When you’re dealing with large vehicles like commercial trucks, it’s crucial for you to ensure the cargo is loaded and secured correctly. If cargo shifts during transport, the truck’s center of gravity can change, potentially leading the vehicle to topple when taking turns or curves.
Filing a Claim After a Truck Accident
If you’ve been in a truck accident and suffered injuries as a result, filing a personal injury claim allows you to seek compensation to cover your losses. Because the claims process is complex, you need to rely on experienced truck accident lawyers to have a chance of winning a fair settlement. Our women-led team can help.
