What Causes Commercial Truck Accidents?

A large commercial truck


Commercial truck accidents are some of the most dangerous crashes in which a person can be involved. Commercial trucks like semis or big-rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making them capable of causing incredible damage to anything they hit. While truck drivers are regulated more stringently than other drivers, avoidable truck accidents continue to occur, often at the expense of innocent bystanders.

Some of the more common causes of truck accidents are detailed below. To learn more or to discuss the specifics of your case with an attorney, call our office today.

Fatigued Truck Drivers

Anyone who has been on a long road trip knows just how exhausting driving long distances can be. Truckers often drive hundreds of miles a day, several days in a row. Despite regulations that limit their hours, many truck drivers are fatigued behind the wheel, and driver fatigue can result in slower reaction times, falling asleep behind the wheel, and poor judgment.

Intoxicated Truck Drivers

Despite strict regulations against drug and alcohol use, some truck drivers get behind the wheel intoxicated. Whether a trucker had a couple of beers with lunch or is using stimulants to stay awake, getting behind the wheel of a huge commercial motor vehicle puts everyone on the road at risk.

Driver Error

Driver error refers to mistakes that truckers make that can put others at risk. Some common examples of driver error include inadvertently speeding, failing to look or signal before switching lanes, driving too fast for the weather conditions, making an illegal turn, or drifting out of your lane.

Can You Recover Compensation for Your Truck Accident?

When truck drivers cause accidents, victims can usually recover compensation for their accident-related losses. There are certain steps that you should take, however, to make sure that your rights are protected and that you get the compensation to which you are entitled under state law. 

See a Doctor

It’s critical to have a healthcare professional evaluate and document your injuries. Also, you should be sure to follow your treatment plan as much as you possibly can.

Do Not Accept a Settlement from Anyone

You may be approached with a settlement offer by the trucking company or its insurer in the days or weeks after an accident. Do not accept it. Initial settlement offers are almost always lower than the actual value of victims’ cases, so it’s in your best interest to discuss your case with an attorney before you settle.

Contact an Attorney as Soon as You Can

Finally, be sure to call a lawyer as soon as possible after a commercial truck accident. Waiting could significantly hurt your case and result in a lower settlement than you would have obtained if you had called an attorney immediately.

Contact Salam & Associates for a Free Consultation

If you have been injured in a truck accident, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. At Salam & Associates, we are committed to helping injured victims recover compensation. Our lawyers are licensed in Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, and D.C. To schedule a free consultation, call our office or contact us online at www.salampc.com or [email protected].



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