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Butler Personal Injury Law Blog

For decades, Conlon Tarker, P.C. has fought for injured individuals and families in Butler, Pennsylvania, delivering honest guidance and proven personal injury representation when it matters most.

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Nov 30, 2022

by Conlon Tarker P.C.

| Personal Injury

What are the most common reasons for fatal trucking accidents?

All motor vehicle accidents have the potential to cause severe injury and death. Fatalities often occur in trucking accidents due to the extreme size and weight of the vehicles.

Many causes of catastrophic trucking accidents come from the driver or the vehicle itself.

Behaviors and choices that impair a driver’s ability to react and make decisions can lead to accidents for any size vehicle, including massive trucks.

  • Distracted driving
  • Reckless driving
  • Fatigue
  • Driving while intoxicated

Driving a large truck safely on the roads with other vehicles requires specific training. Poorly-trained truck drivers make bad decisions. They also may fail to get the amount of rest required by law.

Maintenance for large trucks is essential in keeping them safe on the roads. Brakes and tires must be routinely checked and repaired or replaced when needed to allow truck drivers to keep the large, heavy vehicles under control. Properly loading the trucks is also an important step in keeping the trucks stable. A heavy load that shifts unexpectedly while the truck moves can cause the driver to lose control.

Other causes

Additional common causes of trucking accidents include severe weather and bad road conditions. While proper training can help truck drivers handle changing conditions on the road, extreme weather conditions and unexpected hazards on the roadway can still cause accidents.

Truck drivers work for carriers who expect them to deliver their loads within a certain time. When drivers feel pressured to meet deadlines, they make poor decisions that can lead to accidents. Whether they break traffic laws by speeding or violate the law by purposely cutting their rest time short, every poor decision can lead to an accident. If you’ve been in an accident, talk to an experienced attorney today.