Truck accidents are some of the most destructive crashes on the road and frequently cause catastrophic injuries because of the incredible size and mass of increasingly common commercial vehicles. Many factors can contribute to truck accidents; however, driver error is still one of the most common causes of fatal or critical truck accidents. Knowing about these mistakes and the practices that can help prevent them.

1.    Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations

Baton Rouge is a pivotal point for freight traffic, and it’s common for truck drivers to work long hours with deadlines looming. Fatigue and violations of hours-of-service rules can slow down reaction times and impair judgment. These risky conditions are not all that visible immediately following an accident, so it is crucial to determine whether driver fatigue was at play. If you or a family member has been injured in a truck accident, a truck accident attorney in Baton Rouge will help investigate your legal options and preserve your rights.

2.     Distracted Driving

Being distracted while driving is a concern for all drivers and passengers, but the stakes are even higher when you’re behind the wheel of a truck weighing tens of thousands of pounds. Common distractions include talking on the phone, fiddling with GPS systems, eating, or working with documents.

A moment’s inattention can have serious consequences, such as swerving into traffic or failing to come to a stop. Because trucks require longer stopping distances, even brief distractions can result in serious collisions.

3.    Speeding and Aggressive Driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributes a surprisingly large percentage of truck accidents to excessive speed.

Large trucks already need much greater stopping distances than passenger vehicles, and higher speeds add to the danger. Also, aggressive driving maneuvers, such as following too closely, frequent lane changes, or failing to yield the right of way, can lead to loss of control or a crash with other vehicles.

The consequences of truck drivers not paying attention to road conditions, such as in construction zones, high traffic, and poor weather, are often disastrous.

4.    Impaired Driving

Judgment, coordination, and reaction time can be so severely impaired by alcohol, drugs, and some medications that pedestrians do not make it across the street safely. The risks for truck drivers are multiplied because the impact of a commercial vehicle can be devastating. The trucking world may have very strict laws, but driving while under the influence still happens and remains a major preventable accident cause.

5.    Inadequate Training or Inexperience

It takes a lot of skill and education to operate a truck. Therefore, less experienced or untrained drivers may have difficulty maneuvering a vehicle, negotiating blind spots, applying brakes correctly, and parking in tight spaces.

Take Away

Driver errors are a significant cause of catastrophic truck crashes, but many of these errors can be avoided. Remember these key points:

• Fatigue and violations of hours-of-service rules are leading causes of accidents.
• A distracted driver may experience fatal reaction delays.
• Speeding and aggressive driving can make it difficult to control large trucks.
• Lack of training leads to impaired judgment and risky driving.

By addressing these common mistakes, truck drivers and their employers can reduce the incidence of tragic accidents and help make our roads safer for all.