What Are the Most Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents in Oklahoma City?

A truck accident can completely change your life in an instant. With the sheer size and momentum of a big truck, semi-truck accidents in Oklahoma City can be catastrophic in the damage they cause. When you try to get compensation for the losses caused by a big truck, it can become complicated and frustrating as the many involved parties blame each other and you for the accident.

Understanding the most common causes of semi-truck accidents can be important to stay safe on the road and defend your case on the chance you are caught in an accident. Learn about how to protect your rights and how semi-truck accident attorneys like The Wolf Pack™ can help.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents?

The most common causes of truck accidents, based on reports from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are:

• Speeding
• Fatigue
• Distraction
• Driving while impaired
• Vehicle failure
• Improperly secured cargo

Let’s look at each in detail.

Speeding

Speeding is the most common reason for truck accidents, whether it’s exceeding speed limits or driving too fast in dangerous weather. Tailgating, improper lane changes, and illegal maneuvering often contribute to speeding truck accidents.

Fatigue

Otherwise known as drowsy driving, fatigue is always a concern on the road. Laws are in place to regulate how long a truck driver may drive before they need to stop and rest, but truck drivers may ignore these laws in an effort to make better time. Fatigue can slow your reflexes, cause a loss of attention, and even lead to falling asleep behind the wheel.

Distraction

Distraction is a major problem across the board on the highways, but the stakes of distracted driving are even higher with big trucks. This includes everything from eating while driving to using cell phones, reading, or fiddling with the radio. Distractions lead to thousands of wrecks every year. Failure to pay attention to potential hazards like rough roads, other vehicles, or stop lights can be caused by distraction.

Driving While Impaired

Impaired driving can be far more than just alcohol. This can involve the use of opiate painkillers, marijuana, illegal drugs like cocaine and speed, or any other substance that impairs judgment and reflexes. It is illegal for a truck driver to drive on these substances, as they can lead to an accident.

Vehicle Failure

This is one area where someone other than the truck driver may hold some fault for the accident. Most truck companies have maintenance crews whose job is to make sure the truck is safe to drive, but this doesn’t always happen. In fact, a 2010 study showed that almost 55% of trucks inspected after a crash had a mechanical problem related to safety, and nearly 30% should not even have been on the road. Tires, brakes, wheels, powertrains, lighting, and coupling systems are the most likely systems to fail.

Improperly Secured Cargo

Cargo that hasn’t been properly secured can spill or shift when the truck stops too quickly or makes a sharp turn. This can throw off the entire balance and cause the truck to jackknife or rollover, causing a serious accident. In this case, the loading crew might hold some responsibility for not safely securing the cargo.

The Wolf Pack™ Can Help If You’ve Been Injured

Seeking compensation for your injuries means understanding and proving what caused the incident and who was responsible. This is why it can be handy to have an experienced truck accident attorney on your case to ensure you have your best chance at receiving a settlement. Our team at Colbert Cooper Hill Attorneys can help you determine what caused the accident. Contact The Wolf Pack™ at 405-218-9200 to get your free case review today.