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ChatGetting into an accident with a big rig can be terrifying. At the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC, we’ve represented numerous clients who have been seriously injured in trucking accidents, and we know all too well the injuries and damages that can result from these powerful and often violent collisions.
What leads to so many of these kinds of crashes? This article discusses five of the most common causes of trucking accidents.
1. Negligent Driving Due to Improper Training or Licensure
Driving a tractor trailer or other commercial truck isn’t like driving your typical sedan. The vehicle is gigantic, its controls are different, it weighs significantly more, and it handles and steers much differently from a normal vehicle. As a result, Massachusetts and Rhode Island both have special training and licensing requirements for commercial drivers.
However, meeting the minimum requirements to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) doesn’t make you an expert. It takes years of experience in real-world scenarios, combined with constant attention to the road, to safely drive a big commercial truck. As a result, in trucking accidents, we frequently see that the driver is either inadequately trained or doesn’t have the necessary experience or license to drive the vehicle that caused the collision.
2. Distracted Driving and Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel
While truck drivers and their employers are supposed to monitor and limit their hours on the road, the reality is that many truck drivers continue to drive well past the regulatory maximums. Unsurprisingly, these long hours frequently lead to distracted driving and falling asleep behind the wheel. It goes without saying that this is extremely dangerous, and truck drivers who choose to put others’ lives at risk often find themselves trying to defend their actions in court.
3. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Other Drugs
Driving a commercial vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is equally as dangerous, and we often see this as a causal factor in truck accident litigation. From abuse of prescription medications to using illegal substances, they are recipes for disaster.
4. Speeding and Reckless Driving in Poor Conditions
Another common cause of trucking accidents, especially in the New England states, is driving on roads that are unsafe. Speeding is endemic in all conditions; but, when it’s snowing heavily or there is ice on the road, even driving at the posted limit can be unreasonably dangerous. We represent clients who were injured by speeding and reckless truck drivers.
5. Unsafe and Improperly-Secured Cargo Loads
Commercial trucks are rated and specifically designed to carry certain types and quantities of cargo. An improper load can make a truck exceptionally dangerous—impacting its handling, braking, and general drivability. Even worse, unsecured cargo loads can lead to spills, projectiles, and other extreme hazards for nearby motorists.
Contact The Bottaro Law Firm, LLC About Your Trucking Accident
Attorney Mike Bottaro regularly represents clients who have been seriously injured in collisions involving commercial vehicles. If you have questions about your accident, contact the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC at (401) 777-7777, or fill out our online contact form.