Common Truck Driver Errors That Can Cause A Truck Accident

Being involved in a truck wreck can be traumatic. But they can be even worse when the cause of these accidents is truck driver errors. Sadly, many truck accidents are caused by truck driver mistakes. There are other factors like unsafe driving behaviors or bad weather that can cause accidents but truck driver errors are considered the leading cause. If you have suffered injuries from a truck accident or have been a victim of a truck driver hit and run, consider talking to a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer.

Common Truck Driver Errors 

When a wreck is caused by a truck driver error it can be worse for the victims because it can cause even more severe injuries. These can cause lifelong limitations. The most common truck driver mistakes that cause accidents are:

Driver Fatigue

When a truck driver gets drowsy, his reaction times and decision making abilities diminish. What is even worse is that they can fall asleep while they’re driving. FMCSA rules limit how many hours a truck driver can drive to prevent fatigue. A driver can only work a maximum of 14 hours and drive 11. Consequently, a driver can’t drive after 7 consecutive days of working 60 hours. Sadly, truckers and their employers tend to violate these rules resulting in accidents that could have been easily avoided.

Drug And Alcohol Use

Truck driver should know better than to use drugs, but some drive after using drugs or alcohol. Doing this reduces their reaction times and driving skills. To fight this issue, there are federal regulations that require employers to test their truck drivers for drug and alcohol use before employing them. They also perform random drug tests during working hours.

Blind Spots

“No-zones” are big blind spots that block truck drivers’ visibility of other drivers and vehicles. When a truck driver is not completely alert he can miss to see a vehicle that is in his blind spot, or entering one and can result in a major crash.

Truck Rollovers

Rollovers happen when truck drivers make driving mistakes. Common causes of truck rollovers include driving through a curve too quickly, going over the speed limit, inexperienced drivers or having their load improperly distributed.

Brake Malfunctions

Some truck drivers and trucking companies depower the front brakes in order to save money. They also are known to adjust the truck’s brakes to reduce wear and tear. They may even allow having a truck on the road when they need brake repair or replacement. These are all dangerous practices that don’t allow truck drivers to slow down or completely stop right before a crash.

Distracted Driving

If a truck driver is on his phone, calling, texting, eating, or drinking their eyes and mind are not on the road. A lack of concentration, even if it’s only for a few seconds can cause a truck driver to make a mistake. They can fail to stop at a red light or pass a slower vehicle improperly. You can read more about distracted driving statistics.

Speeding

Any accident involving speeding can result in severe injuries. If a truck is speeding it increases the chances of catastrophic injuries. This is because the impact has much greater force when a vehicle that weighs 80,000 lbs is involved.

Following Too Closely

Everybody knows you are required to keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. This is even more important for a truck driver that can cause a fatal rear-end collision that can turn into an override accident. This is when a truck drives over a smaller vehicle and crushes it. You can learn more about rear-end collision claims by clicking here.

Not Driving For Weather Conditions

Truck drivers need to slow down and leave more time to start slowing down or stop all together when roads are slippery because of rain, snow or even ice. If they don’t they can lose traction with the road resulting in a crash.

Recovering Compensation For Accidents Involving Truck Driver Errors

Treating severe injuries caused by truck collisions can be extremely expensive and the victims have to pay for:

• Emergency transport and treatmen
• Doctor’s appointments
• Diagnostic tests
• Prescription medications
• Emergency and reconstructive surgeries
• Physical therapy

For some injured parties, paying for medical bills can be impossible, especially for those who can’t go to work because of their injuries. Consequently, health insurance does not always cover the entirety of the medical bills. This means that the victim has to pay out-of-pocket costs for additional treatments and therapies.

Do you want to learn more about the auto accident claim process? Add your email below and we will send you our guide free of charge. It includes useful tips on things to avoid when going through a personal injury claim and how you can give yourself the best chance of winning it.

[optin-monster slug=”a5siegylyxstczci4nwr”]

Types of Compensation For Truck Driver Error Accidents

Luckily, when the victim is injured by someone else’s negligence they can get compensation for their losses. You could recover compensation for past and future:

• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium

Pain and suffering after a truck accident can be severe and it can be life-long. Physical pain can be accompanied by emotional damage. Emotional distress can be debilitating and it can prevent a victim from moving on with their lives after the accident. Some vicitims suffer from stress-related symptoms because of how violent these crashes are. This is particularly true for young kids and people who has lost people in truck accidents. The most common symptoms of emotional distress include:

• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Flashbacks
• Depression
• Severe anxiety
• Memory problems

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident that was caused by truck driver error, Cogburn Law may be able to help you. You could recover compensation for past and future:

• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Mental anguish/emotional distress
• Loss of consortium

If the trucker’s negligence caused the death of a loved one, you can file a wrongful death case. If this is the case, please contact an experienced wrongful death and personal injury lawyer to explore your legal options.

Contact a Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, contact Cogburn Law to schedule an initial free consultation. Our experienced truck accident lawyers can help you collect the compensation you deserve. Call today at (702) 748-7777.

If you would like to learn more about the truck accident claim process, or you would like a guide on how to win your truck accident case, just add your email below. We will send you our top tips for absolutely free.

[optin-monster slug=”a5siegylyxstczci4nwr”]