A truck accident is categorically different from a car accident. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states that an average car driving down the road weighs close to 4,000 pounds. On the other hand, an 18-wheeler weighs nearly 80,000 pounds. Hence, it becomes challenging to manage trucks, and the damages caused after an accident is a lot more.
Missouri streets are infamous for truck accidents. Even though the car accidents that involve big trucks have lessened to some extent in the past 20 years, people here aren’t out of danger. The total number of injuries because of commercial truck accidents in 2022 was 2,756. In the same year, there were 119 fatalities owing to truck accidents. Therefore, drivers and pedestrians must be watchful when they walk and drive.
While predicting a truck accident in St. Louis is impossible, knowing the causes can help you stay away from it to a vast extent. In this article, we will delve into the probable causes of a truck accident to understand how to avoid it.
Causes of Dangerous Truck Accidents
Since trucks can be dangerous on the streets, the trucking industry is becoming highly regulated today. It indicates that when facing an accident, it is necessary to contact a St. Louis truck accident lawyer who is aware of the regulations. They will guide you through the legal process and ensure you get compensated for your losses.
However, before doing that, you need to take a glance at the causes of a truck accident, to try and avoid it.
Unskilled, Distracted or Tired Drivers
Truck drivers often need to drive for long hours, which inevitably results in driver fatigue. Naturally, it impacts the decision-making ability and reaction time of a driver, which further adds to the risk of an accident. There are other distractions, such as receiving a call and talking, continuously texting, and getting engaged with the in-vehicle electronics.
If a truck driver is unskilled, they can face an accident. Managing a huge commercial truck needs specialized skills. Hence, drivers who don’t have adequate training might just struggle to move through challenging traffic situations, bad weather conditions, and tight spaces, which result in an accident.
To avoid this, it is essential to address these factors with strict regulation, correct training, and adequate awareness concerning the dangers of distracted driving and fatigue. Doing this will reduce truck accidents and ensure road safety.
Drug or Alcohol Intoxication
If truck drivers are under the influence of drugs and alcohol and drive, the chances of an accident are greater. It is because their motor and cognitive skills get impaired. It results in slowed reaction times and poor judgment. All of which contribute to a fatal accident, causing property and physical harm.
It is necessary to have strict testing protocols and regulations to ensure drivers don’t drive once they are drunk or have taken any drugs. Even though there still might be accidents resulting from intoxication, it is necessary to implement these efforts to implement sobriety and make sure that pedestrians are safe.
The Truck Condition
Commercial trucks face wear and tear because they carry heavy loads and travel long distances. If trucks aren’t maintained well, their mechanical systems might fail and result in accidents.
The worn-out tires, faulty brakes, mechanical problems, and malfunctioning steering systems can make it challenging for a truck driver to manage the vehicle in an emergency. Lack of maintenance also results in tire blowouts, which leads to loss of control and dangerous accidents.
The best way to reduce this risk factor is to ensure that the truck undergoes proper maintenance. It will ensure that there are fewer mechanical failures and that the trucks are functioning in the correct condition, which minimizes accidents.
Speeding Problems
One of the most common causes of truck accidents is speeding. When enormous trucks exceed the speed limit, the probability of car accidents is high. Speeding brings down the driver’s capacity to respond to sudden changes in traffic conditions. It also maximizes the braking distance that is needed to halt the truck and heighten the impact force for a collision.
Speeding also affects the driver’s capacity to analyze distances and make precise split-second decisions, which increases the risk of accidents. To avoid this, truck drivers and their respective companies must stick to the speed limits and adhere to secure driving practices.
Once you have understood the cause of your truck accident, it is necessary to report it to your lawyer and file a lawsuit. TorHoerman Law states that you must preserve every piece of evidence that you have and share it with your lawyer for them to use to develop a solid case and present it on your behalf at the court. They will ensure that you get covered for all your economic and non-economic damages.
Summing up, no one can know whether they are going to encounter a truck accident. However, since the streets of St. Louis are prone to accidents, it’s always best to exercise caution and drive accordingly. Once you know the common causes of truck accidents, you can try your best to steer clear of them by adhering to them. It will ensure that you have played your part in ensuring road safety.
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