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Five of the most frequent causes of truck collisions

On Behalf of | Dec 2, 2019 | Truck Accidents |

Collisions between big rigs and passenger vehicles are all too common in Kentucky, and there are several reasons why they can occur. The No. 1 cause is driver error. Truckers, like anyone else, can engage in unsafe behavior like drowsy or drunk driving. However, it should be noted that 81% of truck crashes due to driver error are the fault of passenger vehicle drivers.

Besides driver error, there are roughly four other common causes of trucking accidents. The second is bad weather combined with improper braking. Truckers who have been insufficiently trained in this regard can wind up hydroplaning or jackknifing when traveling on slick or snowy roads.

A third factor is the lack of maintenance. Truckers are required by law to inspect their rigs before every shift. The point of this is to identify safety hazards like cracked windshields and worn brake pads. Fourth, crashes can occur because of equipment failure. Parts manufacturers may be to blame for such crashes by creating defective or dangerous products.

Lastly, those who are responsible for loading and securing cargo may not follow the industry-specific rules for these procedures. This could result in a truck being overloaded and tipping over in high winds or cargo falling out of the truck and onto the road.

When it’s clear that truckers, parts manufacturers or trucking companies are to blame for truck crashes, the injured parties can seek compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income and more. A victim may want a lawyer to evaluate their case and determine how much they might be eligible for. Under this state’s pure comparative negligence laws, a plaintiff’s degree of fault can proportionately reduce whatever damages they recover.