The NHTSA reports that 4,067 people died and 116,000 people were injured in large truck accidents during 2015. Of the people who were injured and killed, over 70 percent of those individuals were drivers or occupants of other vehicles.
Have you been injured in a large truck accident or commercial truck accident in Massachusetts? If so, understanding common truck accident causes can help you understand the complexity of these cases and why you need to contact our office as soon as possible to speak with a truck accident attorney for free.
Massachusetts Truck Accident Causes
There are many reasons why a truck crashes. However, some causes seem to be more common than others. Some of the most common truck accident causes include:
- Distracted Driving — Distracted driving is a problem in the commercial trucking industry just as it is for all other drivers. Truck drivers who text while driving, eat, watch videos, or do anything that takes away from the task of driving a truck can turn the truck into a dangerous weapon in seconds.
- Fatigued and Drowsy Driving — Drowsy and fatigued driving are huge problems in the trucking industry. Drivers with untreated sleep apnea or who take certain medication are especially at risk for drowsy driving. Truck drivers who exceed the safe driving limits imposed by law are also at high risk for these accidents.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving — Speeding, reckless driving, and other traffic infractions are a common factor in truck driving accidents. Speeding is a dangerous infraction because of the size and weight of the vehicle.
- Drugged and Drunk Driving — Because of the danger of impaired driving combined with a commercial truck, it is illegal for truck drivers in Massachusetts to operate a truck with a BAC of .04 percent or more.
- Road and Weather Conditions — Dangerous road and weather conditions can play a factor in large truck accidents. Poor weather conditions such as snow, ice, fog, rain, and sleet can make driving conditions hazardous. In addition, dangerous road conditions, including debris, construction zones, potholes, and defective road designs, can contribute to the case of a commercial truck accident.
- Improperly Loaded Cargo — Cargo must be loaded very carefully into trailers. If cargo shifts during transit, the truck driver could lose control of the rig or the trailer could tip over.
- Truck Maintenance and Repairs — In some cases, faulty or negligent maintenance and repairs can contribute to a truck accident. If so, repair shops and truck owners could be held liable.
- Defective Truck Parts — Defective truck parts (e. brakes, tires, steering components, etc.) can contribute to the cause of a crash. This cause could be combined with a lack of adequate maintenance that might have uncovered the defective part.
Determining the cause of a truck accident can be complicated. Commercial trucks are complex pieces of machinery. In many cases, we employ experts to help determine what caused the crash and obtain evidence to prove the cause of the crash. To receive compensation for your injuries, you must prove that another party was at fault for the collision.
Truck companies and their insurance companies have teams of investigators that begin immediately after an accident to mitigate their liability for damages. You need a team of legal professionals working on your behalf to ensure that you receive the money you deserve because of a negligent or reckless truck driver or another party.
Hiring a Massachusetts Truck Accident Attorney
Our attorneys can help you determine which of the various truck accident causes apply in your case. We thoroughly and aggressively investigate large truck accidents to identify the party or parties involved and obtain evidence to hold those parties accountable and liable.
Our truck accident lawyers in Massachusetts have the resources, knowledge, and experience you need when you fight a large trucking corporation and large insurance company.
Contact Jim Glaser Law today at 781-689-2277 or fill out our online form to request a free case evaluation.
