Truck accidents claim thousands of lives annually and leave many more victims with life-altering injuries that require extensive medical treatment, lost work time, and profound changes to daily life.
However, unlike regular car crashes, truck accidents involve complex liability, federal regulations, and multiple responsible parties.
This is why understanding the cause of a truck accident is key to securing fair compensation.
This article outlines the nine most common causes of truck accidents and the importance of proving fault to build a strong claim and secure fair compensation.
What are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Driver-related factors play a significant role in truck accidents, often stemming from fatigue, distraction, or reckless behavior. Understanding these causes is essential for proving liability in a crash.
1. Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations
Driver fatigue remains one of the leading contributors to truck accidents nationwide.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limits truck drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 hours off duty. However,tight schedules often push them to keep going.
When companies pressure drivers to skip breaks or falsify logbooks, this can be strong evidence of liability in accidents.
Fatigued driving impairs judgment similarly to alcohol consumption, making it a serious safety concern on highways.
2. Distracted Driving
Today’s truck cabs contain numerous potential distractions that compete for a driver’s attention.
Truck drivers often use smartphones, GPS, and dispatch systems while driving. They may also eat, adjust controls, or reach for items, all of which reduce reaction time and awareness.
If a crash occurs, evidence of phone use or in-cab distractions can strongly support negligence claims.
3. Speeding and Reckless Driving
Trucks require significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles, and speeding makes it harder to avoid hazards.
Reckless behaviors like tailgating and unsafe lane changes further endanger others on the road.
4. Driving Under the Influence
Commercial drivers have a lower legal alcohol limit of 0.04% compared to 0.08% for others, yet impaired driving still causes serious truck accidents.
Alcohol, prescription drugs, and other substances can affect coordination and judgment, increasing crash risks.
When impairment is a factor, toxicology reports and witness statements help prove fault and support victim claims.
5. Vehicle and Mechanical Failures
Mechanical problems like brake failure, tire blowouts, or steering issues can make trucks harder to control and lead to serious accidents.
Trucking companies and drivers must follow strict maintenance rules, but some skip inspections to save time and money.
If a crash happens due to poor upkeep or defective parts, the trucking company, maintenance provider, or manufacturer may be held responsible.
6. Steering and Transmission Issues
Steering failures and transmission problems can render a truck uncontrollable. Therefore, regular inspections and maintenance are essential to identify potential issues before they lead to accidents.
When these systems fail, investigators look for evidence of neglected maintenance, improper repairs, or manufacturing defects to determine liability.
7. Poor Weather Conditions
Bad weather demands extra caution from truck drivers. Rain, snow, ice, and fog reduce visibility and traction, making accidents more likely.
Drivers are trained to slow down, leave more space, or delay trips when needed. Ignoring weather conditions, especially during advisories, can be considered negligence.
8. Road Hazards and Construction Zones
Construction zones with narrow lanes, sudden stops, and changing traffic patterns make driving difficult for large trucks. Road hazards like potholes and debris can also affect stability, requiring drivers to stay alert.
In some cases, poorly marked zones or poorly maintained roads may place liability on government agencies or contractors.
9. Other Drivers’ Negligence
Not all truck accidents result solely from truck driver error. Passenger vehicle drivers often contribute to accidents by cutting off trucks, driving in blind spots, or failing to account for a truck’s limited maneuverability.
Determining the relative fault of all involved parties is essential for fair compensation.
How to Prove Fault in a Truck Accident
Establishing fault in a truck accident requires strong evidence and a thorough investigation. Key steps include:
Collecting Evidence at the Scene
Time-sensitive evidence collection can make or break a truck accident case, as critical details can quickly disappear. Photographs of vehicle positions, skid marks, road conditions, and property damage help reconstruct the scene and establish key facts.
Additionally, securing witness statements immediately after the accident ensures the most accurate and unbiased accounts before memories fade or external influences alter perceptions.
Police Reports and Official Documentation
Law enforcement reports contain preliminary fault determinations, statements from involved parties, and citations issued.
While not the final word on liability, these reports establish an official record of the incident and often carry significant weight in settlement negotiations.
They can provide valuable evidence for insurance claims and legal proceedings, helping to support or challenge liability assessments.
Black Box Data and Electronic Logging Devices
Modern commercial trucks contain electronic control modules (ECMs) that record data about the vehicle’s operation, including:
- Speed at the time of impact
- Braking patterns
- Hours of operation
- RPM changes
- Steering inputs
This “black box” data can provide objective evidence of what occurred in the moments before a crash.
Expert Witness Testimony
Accident reconstruction specialists examine physical evidence to determine how a crash occurred, providing a clear picture of the events leading up to the accident.
In some cases, engineering experts assess mechanical failures, while trucking industry specialists testify about standard safety practices and regulatory compliance.
By translating complex technical details into clear, compelling testimony, these experts play a crucial role in strengthening liability claims.
Trucking Company Records and Maintenance Logs
Federal regulations require trucking companies to maintain detailed records of driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, and hours of service.
These records can reveal patterns of negligence or regulatory violations that contributed to the accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
Determining liability in a truck accident is often complex, as multiple parties may share responsibility. Potentially liable parties include:
Truck Driver
A truck driver holds primary responsibility when errors or rule violations lead to an accident. Common forms of negligence include speeding, distraction, impairment, and exceeding legal driving hours.
Beyond these, failing to inspect the truck, disregarding road conditions, making unsafe lane changes, or falsifying records can further increase liability, making the case against the driver even stronger.
Trucking Company
Under the legal principle of “respondeat superior,” employers are generally liable for their employees’ actions within the scope of employment.
Additionally, trucking companies may bear direct liability for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or encouraging unsafe practices like exceeding hours-of-service limits.
Manufacturers and Maintenance Providers
Faulty parts or improper maintenance can cause catastrophic truck accidents. If a manufacturer produces defective brakes, tires, or steering components, they may be held liable for resulting crashes.
Similarly, if a maintenance provider neglects routine inspections or fails to address critical repairs, they share responsibility.
These cases often require expert testimony, vehicle inspection reports, and maintenance records to establish liability.
Other Drivers
When a speeding car weaves through traffic and forces a truck to brake suddenly, a chain reaction crash can occur, potentially making the car’s driver accountable.
To determine fault, investigators examine traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports.
In some cases, multiple drivers may share responsibility, which can impact how compensation is distributed.
What Steps Should You Take After a Truck Accident?
If you’re involved in a truck accident, taking these steps can protect both your health and legal rights:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
- Report the accident to law enforcement and obtain an official report
- Document the scene with photos and videos if possible
- Gather contact information from witnesses
- Avoid discussing fault or giving recorded statements to insurance companies
- Consult with a Boston truck accident attorney
Truck accident cases involve complex regulations and powerful insurance companies, making experienced legal representation crucial.
If you need an expert truck accident attorney, DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyer is the best choice. They offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they win your case.
Conclusion
Determining the cause of a truck accident is key to proving fault and securing fair compensation. These cases are complex, involving federal laws, multiple liable parties, and serious injuries, making legal help essential.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, consult a lawyer as soon as possible, many offer free case evaluations to explain your legal options.
