Most common causes of truck accidents

Commercial trucks are a regular fixture in West Virginia. Although it’s normal to share the road with these vehicles, their presence poses higher risks of accidents. These are the most common causes of truck crashes.

Driver error

Truck accidents often occur when truck drivers make errors. This can include an array of issues such as distracted driving, speeding, fatigued driving, reckless driving and poor judgment. Truckers must be alert at all times, follow all rules of the road and maintain safe speeds while working to ensure safety.

Inadequate training

Trucking companies are required to adequately train their drivers so that they can safely handle the job. Unfortunately, some companies aim to cut corners and save money and negligently hire people without fully training them. Anyone who lacks the ability to drive a commercial truck as safely as possible can get into an accident, and this can lead to catastrophic injuries and death to others sharing the road with them.

Improper cargo loading

Cargo must be properly loaded on a truck to prevent it from spilling out onto the road or overloading the truck. Improper cargo loading can lead to a disaster; truck drivers, trucking companies or cargo loaders can be liable for truck accidents and rollovers. Truckers should double-check their loads during stops to ensure they’re properly secured.

Poor truck maintenance

All trucks must be properly maintained to ensure that they’re safe for traveling. Over time, certain components need to be changed and others oiled so the truck can run optimally. Without regular maintenance, a serious truck accident can occur.

Poor weather conditions

Inclement weather conditions can make the roads slick and visibility poor, which is a recipe for disaster for any vehicle; it’s particularly deadly if a huge truck is on the road. In such weather conditions, truckers must slow down and give even more room to ensure they can stop safely.