Semi-truck crashes are some of the most severe collisions that regularly occur. When massive commercial trucks collide with passenger vehicles, the smaller vehicles and their occupants often bear the brunt of the crash.
While it is necessary for commercial drivers to follow the law and prioritize safety, it may be a life-or-death matter for other drivers to be proactive about avoiding a crash with a semi-truck. When people understand what increases their risk of a crash, they may have an easier time avoiding one. The following are the leading causes of semi-truck collisions.
Getting too close to semi-trucks
One of the top reasons that people in smaller vehicles cause semi-truck collisions is a failure to give semi-trucks the space they require in traffic. When motorists drive in a semi-truck’s blind spot or get too close at an intersection, they may increase their chances of a crash involving an 18-wheeler.
Bad decisions by commercial drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) tracks the issues that lead to semi-truck collisions. A significant percentage of them are because of something the commercial driver does or does not do. Mistakes in judgment such as maintaining a high speed or getting too close to other vehicles are the top reason commercial drivers cause crashes.
Recognition issues
The second most common reason that commercial drivers cause crashes is that they don’t see other drivers in traffic. Failing to notice other vehicles could be the result of not checking a blind spot. It could also relate to distraction in traffic. Using a mobile phone or handling a dispatch device could leave a commercial driver unable to properly monitor their surroundings.
Non-performance
A small but noteworthy percentage of semi-truck collisions occur because drivers become incapable of controlling their vehicles. Non-performance might involve a driver falling asleep at the wheel. It might also involve a commercial driver having a medical emergency.
Issues with the commercial truck
According to the FMCSA, one in 10 collisions where commercial trucks are at fault is the result of an issue with the vehicle itself. Improper maintenance or faulty replacement components might lead to crucial systems in a semi-truck failing at the wrong moment. Many semi-truck crashes are out of the control of the driver because they relate to the condition of the vehicle.
Identifying the most common causes of semi-truck collisions can help people avoid crashes that could put them in the hospital or worse. Those involved in semi-truck collisions may need to learn about their options for seeking compensation if they hope to hold a truck driver or the company that employs them accountable for an injurious crash.