7 Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Updated June 2024

In a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 11% of motor vehicle deaths involved large truck crashes. Since trucks are much larger and heavier than the average-sized car, accidents involving these trucks can lead to serious injuries and even death. 

Knowing the common causes of truck accidents makes it much easier to prevent them from happening. Contact our California truck accident attorney to learn about your legal options if you were a truck accident victim. 

Truck Accident Statistics

미국 질병통제예방센터, National Safety Council, there were 5,837 fatal large truck crashes in 2022, a 1.8% increase from 2021 and a nearly 50% increase in the last 10 years. Most accidents occur in the daytime (61%), on non-interstate roads (73%), and in non-work zones (95%). 

Approximately 74% of fatal passenger vehicle accidents involved a semi-truck. These statistics relating to truck accident cases lead many to wonder how these types of accidents can be avoided. 

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Human error is the biggest cause of commercial truck accidents. This includes actions like speeding, not checking their blind spots before merging into another lane, and turning at a crosswalk. 

These are 7 of the most common causes of truck accidents: 

1. Speeding and Overtaking

One of the most common causes of truck accidents is speeding and overtaking. One of the biggest reasons this is so dangerous for truck drivers is that their larger vehicles take much more time to slow down. If they speed, their reaction times are much lower, and they may lose control. 

Often, truck drivers speed because they have deadlines to reach their destination. Other times, commercial trucks may speed on bad roads because they feel like their truck can handle it. You can prevent many accidents by avoiding speeding and avoiding trucks that are speeding on the road. 

Overtaking is similar to speeding. If a truck passes a vehicle going in the same direction, especially when the lane is merging, it may force other drivers off the road.

2. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is another huge issue for drivers (both truck drivers and other motorists). While cell phones and other types of technology are the most common types of distracted driving, there are many others that drivers need to avoid. 

For example, many truck drivers do not want to take a break to eat their meals. If they are on a tight schedule, they may eat while they are driving. This is very dangerous, as it is a form of distraction that can lessen their reaction time. 

Other distractions can include using a GPS, adjusting the radio, or focusing too long on things outside the cab. 

3. Not Keeping a Safe Distance Between Cars

Both truck drivers and drivers of other vehicles can cause truck accidents by not maintaining enough distance between themselves. A safe distance is typically determined by the “three-second rule.” Drivers must give each other enough space before passing. When drivers change lanes abruptly, truck drivers may be unable to slow down quickly enough. This is especially true on crowded freeways and in traffic. 

It’s also important to provide trucks enough distance in their no-zones. These are areas of trucks that have limited or no visibility. These are not your normal blind spots, as truck drivers cannot see behind their trucks. 

By avoiding truck blind spots, you can help them maintain better visibility and avoid crashes.

4. Fatigue

Another common cause of truck accidents is fatigue. This occurs for multiple reasons, including long hours, inadequate sleep, and long stretches of highway. To prevent this, drivers have a protocol known as the “Hours of Service” policy. This means they must take a break after driving for a while. 

This helps drivers rest and recover to prevent fatigue. However, truck drivers still have very demanding hours and spend a lot of time behind the wheel. If they are behind schedule or trying to reach their destination faster, they may drive longer than is safe. 

In these situations, fatigue can cause driver error and may cause deadly accidents.

5. Severe Weather

Severe weather is a big factor in many truck accidents. Because trucks are so much bigger, driving them in harsh or unfamiliar weather may feel safer. However, any vehicle can lose control on bad roads. 

To help prevent these accidents, it is important to properly train drivers and ensure they know how to drive safely during harsh storms.

6. Poor Truck Maintenance

Many trucking companies must follow laws requiring them to maintain their trucks. This will prevent issues with the machinery and can also prevent many accidents. For example, some commercial truck accidents occur when there is brake failure. Others happen because tires are not properly maintained, leading to a blowout on the freeway. If cargo is not properly secured, 

Trucking companies can prevent many accidents by properly maintaining their trucks. However, maintaining a truck well takes a lot of time and money, so many companies do not properly maintain their trucks.

7. Impairment

In California, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.04% or higher if you drive a vehicle that requires a commercial driver’s license, compared to 0.08% for regular vehicle drivers. This lower standard means the laws take drinking and driving a commercial truck much more seriously. 

Impaired driving extends beyond alcohol. Drugs and certain over-the-counter and prescription medications can also impair a truck driver’s ability to drive safely.

Truck Accident Prevention

If you want to stay safe on the road, it’s important to learn about truck accident prevention. While some problems result from driver error, there are steps both drivers in smaller motor vehicles and truckers can take to decrease the number of collisions.

What Passenger Cars Can Do

Passenger cars can take steps to improve driving safety for themselves and others. As a driver, you have options to avoid a truck crash, even if the problem is related to the other driver.

Offer More Space

One of the best things you can do to prevent a truck accident is to give a truck plenty of space. Whether you’re following, passing, or leading, always give them more space than you think they need.

Unlike passenger cars, trucks have blind spots directly in front of and behind them. This is in addition to the large blind spots on either side. Learn where these blind spots are so you can avoid them. 

Be Predictable

Many trucking accidents are caused by driver error or misunderstanding another driver’s intentions. Ensure you are as predictable as possible with your intentions while driving, especially near a truck.

If you plan to pass, leave the right amount of space, take time to signal, and don’t linger in the blind spots. Making slow, decisive movements will better communicate your intentions to the truck driver.

What Truck Drivers Can Do

Truck drivers are typically the most trained drivers and require a special commercial license to operate a big rig or 18-wheeler. That means they have a greater responsibility to maintain safety while driving. Steps they should take to prevent accidents include the following.

Always Do a Pre-Check

Drivers are required to inspect their trailers before every departure. These checks help identify potential issues with the truck and cargo. They must be done once every 24 hours and shouldn’t be skipped. 

Follow the Rules

Trucks operate under different rules than other drivers for a reason. If you want to do your part in accident prevention, follow the regulations for hours of service to avoid a truck crash. 

Top-Rated Truck Accident Attorneys

Many types of truck accidents are preventable. However, when they occur, truck accident injuries can be devastating and completely life-changing. If you have been in a commercial truck accident, you will need an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side to hold the negligent parties accountable.

Truck accident attorneys can help you calculate your damages, collect evidence to support your truck accident case, and devise the best legal strategy to win a fair settlement. 

If you are looking for a qualified truck accident lawyer in California, DK Law can help. We represent truck accident victims in Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and other surrounding counties throughout California.