Common Forms of Truck Driver Negligence

 Posted on November 16, 2018 in Truck Accidents

Throughout 2016, approximately 4,500 Americans lost their lives in accidents involving large commercial vehicles. This incredible number of fatalities involving commercial trucks and buses marked a 5% increase in comparison to 2015. 

Commercial truck drivers have a responsibility to drive safely, since the sheer size of their vehicles gives them the potential to cause a great deal of damage to standard passenger vehicles. Of all the fatalities involving large commercial vehicles in 2016, only 16% of those killed were the drivers of the commercial vehicles. If you or a member of your family have been injured in a truck accident, you should work with a legal team that will protect your right to compensation from the parties who were responsible.

Forms of Negligence by Truck Drivers

Despite the fact that all truck drivers are forced to go through rigorous training programs and testing before receiving their commercial driver’s license (CDL), hundreds of truck drivers throughout the United States drive negligently and endanger others on the road. Some common ways of doing so include: 

• Intoxicated Driving: A recent study found that a large number of commercial truck drivers admit to using some sort of psychoactive substance while driving, such as amphetamines, cocaine, or alcohol. These substances can severely impact a driver’s reaction time, decision making, and vision. 
• Driving at Excessive Speeds: Large commercial trucks can be difficult to turn, slow down, and stop, especially when traveling at high speeds. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), speed was a factor in 17% of all fatalities involving large commercial vehicles in 2016. 
• Distracted Driving: Every year, thousands of Americans are involved in motor vehicle collisions caused directly by distracted driving. Unsurprisingly, a large number of commercial trucking accidents are caused by truck drivers who are distracted by cell phones, radios, or electronic logging devices. In all, 6% of fatal commercial trucking accidents in 2016 were caused by the negligence of a distracted truck driver. 

Contact a Cook County Motor Vehicle Collision Lawyer 

In the aftermath of an accident involving a commercial truck, it is likely that the trucking company or their insurance provider will try to fight against paying full compensation for the injuries suffered. An experienced legal professional can help establish fault for an accident and work to make sure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries. At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our legal team has years of experience helping families receive the financial support they need after a car accident. To set up a free consultation with a Waukegan truck accident attorney, call us today at 847-662-3303.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-drug-truckdrivers-idUSBRE99O0T520131025

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/2016-commercial-motor-vehicle-traffic-safety-facts-sheet