If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, understanding the common causes of truck accidents can help determine liability and strengthen your legal claim. At Fox Injury Law, our Tucker truck accident lawyers are committed to fighting for victims of truck crashes and ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve.
Driver-related causes of truck accidents
Many truck accidents are caused by driver error due to negligence, fatigue, or reckless behavior. Some of the most common driver-related causes include the following.
1. Driver fatigue
Truck drivers often exceed legal driving limits to meet deadlines, leading to drowsy driving, which slows reaction time and increases accident risks. Federal regulations limit truckers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour period with 10 hours of rest, but some ignore these rules, endangering themselves and others.
2. Distracted driving
Just like other motorists, truck drivers may become distracted by:
- Cell phone use (texting, calling, or GPS navigation).
- Eating or drinking while driving.
- Adjusting in-cab controls.
- Looking at billboards or roadside distractions.
Any moment of inattention can lead to catastrophic crashes, especially when driving an 18-wheeler.
3. Speeding and reckless driving
Large trucks require significantly more time and distance to stop. A truck traveling at 65 mph needs at least 525 feet to come to a complete stop—almost two football fields in length. Speeding or aggressive driving makes it nearly impossible for truckers to stop in time to avoid a collision.
4. Impaired driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even certain prescription medications can impair a truck driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. While Georgia law prohibits impaired driving, truck drivers who rely on stimulants to stay awake may put themselves and others at serious risk.
Mechanical and vehicle-related causes
Even the safest truck drivers can’t prevent accidents if their vehicles are poorly maintained. Some of the most common truck defects leading to crashes include:
5. Brake failure
Due to their size and weight, commercial truck brakes wear down faster than those on passenger vehicles. If not properly inspected and maintained, brake failure can lead to runaway truck accidents or rear-end collisions at high speeds.
6. Tire blowouts
Improperly inflated or worn-out tires can lead to tire blowouts, causing drivers to lose control. Given the weight and force of a moving semi-truck, a sudden blowout can have devastating consequences for nearby vehicles.
7. Faulty steering or transmission issues
A defective steering system or a mechanical failure in the transmission can make a truck impossible to control, leading to jackknifes, rollovers, or multi-vehicle pileups.
Cargo-related causes
Improperly loaded cargo can cause serious accidents due to shifting weight or debris falling into the roadway. Some common cargo-related dangers include:
8. Overloaded trucks
Federal and Georgia trucking laws limit the maximum weight of commercial trucks to prevent road damage and ensure safety. Overloaded trucks are harder to stop and more likely to cause brake failure or tire blowouts.
9. Improperly secured cargo
Cargo must be properly balanced and secured. Unsecured cargo can shift unexpectedly, throwing off the truck’s center of gravity and causing rollovers or jackknife accidents. Debris falling from a truck can also create dangerous road hazards for other drivers.
Weather and road-related causes
Even experienced truck drivers struggle in dangerous road conditions. Poor weather, road defects, or other environmental factors contribute to many truck accidents.
10. Bad weather conditions
Rain, fog, snow, and ice significantly reduce visibility and traction for large trucks. Sudden stops or sharp turns in these conditions can lead to hydroplaning or skidding accidents.
11. Poor road maintenance
Potholes, uneven pavement, or poorly marked lanes increase the likelihood of truck accidents. Local and state governments may be responsible for maintaining safe road conditions, and in some cases, they may be held liable for accidents caused by poor maintenance.
Who is liable for a truck accident?
Truck accident cases are more complex than standard car accidents because multiple parties may be responsible. Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include:
- The truck driver (if negligence, fatigue, or impairment was a factor).
- The trucking company (if they encouraged unsafe practices or failed to maintain vehicles).
- The cargo loaders (if improper loading led to the crash).
- The truck manufacturer (if mechanical defects caused the accident).
- Government agencies (if poorly maintained roads contributed to the crash).
Determining liability requires thorough investigation, accident reconstruction, and legal expertise—all of which we provide at Fox Injury Law.
How Fox Injury Law can help you after a truck accident
Truck accidents often result in serious injuries, expensive medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. At Fox Injury Law, we help victims fight for maximum compensation by:
- Investigating the accident: We gather police reports, black box data, and eyewitness testimony.
- Identifying liable parties: We hold trucking companies and drivers accountable for their negligence.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: We ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
- Taking your case to trial if necessary: If insurance companies refuse a fair settlement, we’re ready to fight in court.
If you’ve been injured in a Georgia truck accident, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Call Fox Injury Law at (404) 777-7778 or fill out our online form for a free consultation today.
