Four Main Causes of Truck Crashes In Rhode Island and Massachusetts

trucks on highway

Did you know that one out of every eight traffic fatalities in the United States is caused by a semi-truck? Commercial vehicles can be devastating when involved in a crash, leaving regular drivers seriously injured or dead.

At the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC, we handle truck accident cases resulting in injury or death throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. Investigating and pursuing these cases takes expertise, focus, and diligence. There are special laws that apply. Let’s look today at some common causes of these tragedies…..

Fatigue:

Truck drivers are notoriously overworked. They often continue driving long after they should to make up long distances on tight deadlines to meet delivery schedules created by trucking companies. Drowsy driving impairs coordination and concentration, which is only made more dangerous by the size of the vehicles they are operating.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, created hours of service regulations that limit how long a trucker can drive within a period of time. However, drivers frequently violate these laws, often with the encouragement or consent of their employers.

Substance Abuse:

Many truckers attempt to fight the fatigue with amphetamines and other stimulant drugs to meet their deadlines. This is dangerous, as stimulants can cause erratic behavior, and once the drugs wear off a sudden onset fatigue can set in. Regular use of these drugs can lead to addiction. Trucking companies that fail to regularly drug test their drivers may be found negligent.

Distracted Driving:

Distracted driving is an issue for all drivers, and increasingly so as technology continues to grow. I have personally handled many cases that dealt with distracted driving, including texting and driving, use of social media while driving, as well as eating and drinking. Truckers may also be distracted by their use of CB radio to talk to other drivers.

Negligence of Companies

Trucking companies can be negligent in many ways and often contribute as much to truck accidents as the drivers involved. This negligence can include inadequate training, improper vehicle maintenance, careless loading of cargo, and failing to regularly drug test drivers.

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At the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC, we handle all types of personal injury cases such as truck accidents every day. Honesty. Integrity. Results. Our team of experienced lawyers is here to fight for your rights. Contact us in any method you prefer 24/7 for a fast, free, and confidential consultation about your case. Text or call: 401-777-7777 or fill out our free and confidential online form.