Accidents between 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles and private passenger vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries for those in the smaller vehicle. The physics of a vehicle that can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds colliding with a vehicle that may weigh approximately 4,000 pounds creates a level of risk that is recognized through the various federal and state laws and regulations, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), that try to make commercial trucking as safe as possible.
Even with such efforts to increase the safety of having commercial trucks and passenger vehicles sharing the same roadways, accidents still happen.
Trucking Accidents: What Are the Common Causes?
There are three main categories of causes of truck accidents:
- Driver errors
- Equipment failure
- Roadway hazard
The attorneys of Cravens & Noll bring decades of investigative and trial experience to the benefit of our clients. J. Thompson Cravens has represented several national trucking carriers in accident cases throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are skilled at conducting in-depth investigations of trucking accidents that can uncover the real causes for the accident and identify the responsible party or parties. We have worked with nationally known crash investigators, engineers and accident reconstruction experts. We understand how to maximize the value that such outside resources can bring to a case.
Common driver errors — Driver behavior and the decisions that are made behind the wheel may be the greatest factor in causing trucking accidents. Some of the most common driver-related accident causes include:
- Fatigue
- Excessive speed
- Excessive load
- Failure to inspect their load
- Failure to properly secure their load
Common equipment failures — When equipment fails, even skilled driving may not be enough to prevent an accident. Some common equipment failures include:
- Brake failure
- Improper brakes
- Improper lighting
- Improper head lamps
- Failure to maintain inspections
Common roadway hazards — Road conditions, inclement weather and other road hazards are factors that can be difficult to prepare for. Common road hazards include:
- Unmarked vehicles in roadway
- Emergency roadway stops
- Improper grade on roadway
- Improper signage and markings
- Improper height and weight clearances
Contact the Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers at Cravens & Noll
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a semi or other commercial vehicle, you deserve the peace of mind that comes from working with a law firm that has the experience to accurately identify the cause of your accident and the responsible party. Turn to the experienced Richmond truck accident attorneys of Cravens & Noll. To schedule a free initial consultation, call 804-332-6161 or toll free at 866-547-6373, or simply contact us online.
