Five Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents

After a commercial vehicle accident involving a transport truck, garbage truck, or tow truck, there are many factors to consider. One of the main purposes of an investigation after a commercial vehicle accident is to determine how the crash occurred. This is much more complicated than many people realize. There are many common causes of commercial vehicle accidents, and they are not always apparent right away. Below, our Baton Rouge commercial vehicle accident lawyer explains the most common causes of these crashes.

Fatigued Driving

One of the most common causes of commercial vehicle accidents is fatigued driving. Commercial drivers have to meet tight deadlines, and they are often on the road for many hours at a time. This can cause fatigued driving, which is always dangerous, but even more so when a commercial driver is tired. Commercial drivers often have to operate trucks that weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and this requires a great deal of focus. When drivers are tired, it is much more difficult for them to focus on the road and control the vehicle.

To avoid commercial vehicle accidents caused by fatigued driving, the federal government has enacted an hours-of-service rule. This law prohibits commercial drivers from operating a vehicle for more than 11 hours during one shift. Additionally, commercial drivers must rest for a minimum of ten hours between shifts. Commercial drivers are also required to keep a logbook outlining the hours they were on the road.

False Log Books

Commercial vehicle drivers must use a log book to detail many factors during a trip. This includes not only the number of hours they were on the road but also the weight of their cargo, meals, rest breaks, and other pertinent information. Commercial vehicle drivers have been known to falsify these logbooks, and the companies they work for sometimes incentivize drivers to make false claims in these records. All of this is so the company can protect its profits while disregarding public safety.

Speeding

The United States is one of the only countries without standard commercial vehicle speed limiters. Legislation requiring the use of speed limiters in commercial vehicles has also been delayed 20 times in the past decade. Commercial drivers have to meet very strict deadlines, and in order to make sure they do, the lack of speed limiters allows them to drive over the speed limit.

Speeding is always hazardous, but when a commercial vehicle is traveling over the speed limit, it becomes even more dangerous. Commercial vehicles are very heavy so it takes them longer to slow down and come to a full stop. Speeding also increases the force and severity of a crash involving a commercial vehicle, meaning the damage is often catastrophic.

Insufficient Vehicle Maintenance

Federal law requires that large commercial vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained so they meet certain safety standards. Maintaining commercial vehicles is an expensive endeavor, and it also means fewer vehicles are on the road. As a result, corporate greed sometimes overrules public safety, and companies do not ensure they are maintaining their vehicles according to federal regulations. Some of the most common delinquencies that cause commercial vehicle accidents are as follows:

• Worn brakes
• Worn axles and bald tires
• Missing mud flaps
• Broken tail lights, headlights, or trailer lights
• Cracked glass or mirrors
• Broken trailer latches
• Eroded reflective tape
• Broken tie-downs and ripped tarps

Overloading Commercial Vehicles

Transport trucks, courier trucks, garbage trucks, and other commercial vehicles all have weight limits. When too much cargo is loaded onto a vehicle, it becomes much more difficult to operate and control. Potential loading issues that could cause a crash include:

• Overloading, which increases braking distance
• Shifting cargo that caused a vehicle to tip over or jackknife
• Hazardous cargo that is not properly secured
• Unbalanced loads, which reduce maneuverability
• Unsecured cargo that falls from a commercial vehicle
• Cargo that came loose during a crash and caused further injury

Our Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers in Baton Rouge Can Determine the Cause of Your Crash

Determining what caused an accident involving a commercial vehicle is never easy. It takes a great deal of experience and knowledge about what records to collect and the evidence that must be gathered. At Big River Trial Attorneys, our Baton Rouge commercial vehicle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation to determine what caused your crash so you know who to hold accountable for paying the maximum settlement you are entitled to. Call us now at (225) 963-9638 or contact us online to request a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.