Top Ten Truck Accident Causes and Factors
Every day on America’s highways, passenger vehicles share the road with commercial trucks weighing upwards of 80,000 pounds. When accidents happen between these vehicles, the results are, naturally, often catastrophic. Understanding why these crashes occur is the first step toward preventing them. With that in mind, below is a list of the top ten truck accident causes and factors.
Top Causes and Factors for Truck Accidents
Why Do Truck Accidents Happen?
The main reasons why truck accidents happen involve the following factors:
Driver Fatigue
For truck drivers, individuals who spend long hours behind the wheel, fatigue is a big problem. There are federal regulations in place that limit driving hours, but the reality is twofold: The trucking industry runs 24/7 and drivers get paid by the mile, not by the hour. Therefore, every minute spent resting is a minute not making money, creating a dangerous incentive for drivers to keep going even when they know they should stop. It is especially dangerous between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., which is when our bodies naturally crave sleep.
Distracted Driving
Research studying long-haul truckers during their normal routes has found that a few common activities cause most distraction-related incidents. These include things like brief glances away from the road to check a navigation device, adjust controls, or reach for something in the cab, all of which can be catastrophic when controlling such a massive, moving vehicle. The risk isn’t just about duration, either; those quick tasks that force drivers to look away from the road can lead to serious accidents because a truck covers over 100 feet in a single second when traveling at highway speeds.
Every decision a truck driver makes affects not just their safety but that of everyone sharing the road with them.
Brake Problems
It has been found that 29% of large commercial trucks on the road have some kind of brake problem. In other words, nearly one in three trucks you pass by might not be able to stop as quickly or effectively as they should. When a semi driver needs to stop 40 tons of moving mass, there’s no room for equipment failure. A fully loaded truck already needs 40% more road to stop than a car, and that’s with its brakes in perfect condition. Any degradation in brake performance turns an emergency stop into a potential disaster.
Traffic Flow Disruptions
Sudden changes in traffic patterns, whether by the presence of construction zones, sudden merges, or accidents that have already occurred, can all force car and truck drivers alike to make split-second decisions. Given their limited maneuverability and long stopping distances, however, these situations often end badly for large trucks.
Prescription Drug Use
The impact of prescription medications on truck accidents is often overlooked. Even legal drugs can impair judgment, cause drowsiness, or slow reaction times, so drivers must carefully consider how their medications might affect their ability to operate their rigs safely.
Speeding and Other Reckless Behaviors
Speed makes crashes more likely to happen and more severe when they do. A truck traveling 75 mph instead of 65 mph doubles its risk of a fatal crash. Being “just a little over” the speed limit is especially dangerous for trucks, because it takes them so much longer to stop. Even worse is the disaster potential when irresponsible driving behaviors like speeding, unsafe overtaking, or tailgating are combined with drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and other illicit drugs.
Unfamiliar Roads
When drivers don’t know the territory, they’re more likely to encounter unexpected challenges. Sharp turns, low bridges, or sudden grade changes can cause major disasters. GPS systems help to some extent, but they’re not perfect, especially when it comes to truck-specific road restrictions.
Understanding these causes isn’t just academic — it’s the first step toward preventing future tragedies.
Road Conditions
Poor road maintenance, potholes, and inadequate signage can turn what may be routine drives into dangerous situations. These factors cause many car accidents, but trucks are particularly vulnerable to road condition issues due to their size and weight. What might be a minor bump for a car can cause a trucker to lose control.
Improper Loading
A truck’s stability depends entirely on how its cargo is loaded and secured. When that freight shifts during turns or sudden stops, even the most skilled driver can lose control. One poorly secured load or unbalanced trailer can transform a stable truck into a roadway hazard.
Inadequate Surveillance
Proper surveillance involves constantly monitoring all sides of the truck, being aware of blind spots, and anticipating other drivers’ actions. When drivers fail to maintain that kind of vigilance, whether due to fatigue, distractions, or sheer complacency, accidents become more likely.
Preventing Truck Accidents
In Kansas, where a heavy truck accident occurs every 2.76 hours, understanding the top ten truck accident causes and factors is vital for public safety. What makes these statistics particularly frustrating, though, is that most of them are preventable. Whether it’s addressing driver fatigue through better rest management, ensuring proper brake maintenance, securing loads correctly, or simply staying focused on the road, each of these truck accident risk factors can be significantly reduced through diligence and adequate procedures. The solutions are out there, often right in front of us, but what’s needed is the commitment to implement them consistently. For trucking companies, drivers, and other motorists sharing the road, prevention starts with awareness. By understanding and actively working to address these top causes, we can help make our highways safer for everyone.
If you’ve been affected by a truck accident, call to discuss your legal options.
Get Help After a Truck Accident
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
Since January 1980, Palmer Law Group has been helping Kansas truck accident victims seek the compensation they deserve. With over four decades of experience, we understand not just the law but the profound impact truck accidents tend to have on victims and their families. When a truck accident turns your life upside down, you shouldn’t have to face the aftermath alone. From mounting medical bills to missed work and life-altering injuries, the devastating effects of a truck accident require experienced legal guidance to navigate, and we’re here to help.
Let our experienced legal team help you understand your options. Call for a free consultation.