Posted on Monday, February 24th, 2020 at 3:17 am
Commercial truck drivers have a huge responsibility. Operating large trucks is not as simple as driving a car. Furthermore, large truck accidents generally result in horrific injuries and permanent disabilities for the victims. Truck driver errors are often the cause of commercial truck accidents in California.
If a commercial truck causes your accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A California commercial truck accident attorney can help you prove truck driver errors were the cause of the collision. After proving fault, you can hold the at-fault party or parties liable for their negligence and errors.
Truck Driver Errors That Cause Commercial Truck Accidents
Five common truck driver errors that can be a factor in the cause of a large truck accident are:
Violating Hours of Service Restrictions
The number of hours a commercial truck driver can drive without a break is regulated by law. Hours of service regulations are designed to prevent truck driver errors caused by fatigue or drowsiness. A truck driver’s hours of service are restricted by the number of hours per shift, between rest breaks, and per week. Unfortunately, many drivers and truck companies ignore these safety regulations, which can lead to truck accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving continues to be included in the top list of truck driver errors that cause commercial truck accidents. All drivers must pay close attention to the road. However, because large trucks are inherently more dangerous and harder to stop, truck drivers should never allow anything to take their attention away from driving.
Impaired Driving
Some trucking companies require random drug and alcohol testing for their drivers to prevent impaired driving accidents. However, truck drivers may take steps to avoid being discovered. Also, some trucking companies ignore signs of substance abuse by their truck drivers. In either case, these truck driver errors can lead to a large truck accident. If so, the truck driver may face criminal charges. The driver and the employer may both be liable for civil damages.
Health Conditions
Some truck drivers suffer from one or more health conditions that can increase their risk of a truck accident. For instance, if a truck driver has sleep apnea, but fails to treat that condition, he could increase the chance of causing a truck crash. Some medications can also cause certain side effects that increase the risk of being involved in a truck accident.
Reckless Driving and Speeding
Large trucks cannot maneuver in the same way as cars. They also cannot stop as quickly as a smaller vehicle. Therefore, truck driver errors involving reckless driving and speeding can be deadly. These reckless driving behaviors may include driving too fast for conditions, illegal or dangerous lane changes, turning without clear sight or sufficient clearance, and following too closely.
Contact a California Commercial Truck Accident Attorney for Help
Truck accident cases are complicated. Trucking companies and insurance providers aggressively fight claims of negligence and liability. If you or a family member is injured in a large truck accident, contact our law firm for a free case review.
Contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website to schedule a free consultation with an experienced California large truck accident attorney.
