Truck accidents can cause serious injuries that impact your health, your ability to work, and quality of life. If you've suffered an injury in a crash with a big rig, 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, or other large commercial truck, you may be facing steep medical bills and a long road to recovery. Consulting an experienced Snohomish truck accident attorney is essential for protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer can investigate the crash, gather evidence, handle discussions with insurance companies, and fight to hold the responsible parties accountable. With the guidance of a skilled attorney, you can focus on recovering from your injuries while your legal team deals with the complex process of pursuing your claim. Let's examine some of the most frequent causes of serious truck accidents. Understanding how and why these devastating collisions occur underscores the importance of having a dedicated truck accident lawyer on your side.
Driver Error and Negligence
One of the leading causes of catastrophic truck crashes is negligence or errors on the part of the truck driver. Some examples include:Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major cause of truck accidents, taking the driver's attention away from the road. Texting, eating, drinking, adjusting navigation devices, or fiddling with the radio can all divert a trucker's focus and lead to devastating crashes. Even a momentary lapse in attention can result in a truck swerving, rear-ending another vehicle, or running off the road.
Trucking companies are responsible for training drivers on the dangers of distracted driving and enforcing policies that prohibit the use of mobile devices while operating a truck. If a company fails to address distracted driving or encourages drivers to prioritize productivity over safety, they may be liable when accidents occur.
A truck accident lawyer can investigate a driver's cell phone records, in-cab video footage, and other evidence to determine if distraction played a role in your crash. Your attorney will work to hold both the driver and their employer accountable for the harm caused by their negligence.
Driving Under the Influence
Operating a massive commercial truck while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or medications that cause impairment is incredibly reckless and dangerous. Intoxicated drivers have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and difficulty controlling their vehicles, making them more likely to cause catastrophic accidents. Trucking companies are required to conduct background checks and random drug tests to ensure their drivers are not using illicit substances. They must also train drivers on the risks of operating a truck while impaired by legal substances like alcohol, prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medications. If a trucking company fails to perform adequate drug screenings or allows a driver to operate a vehicle while impaired, they may share responsibility for any resulting accidents. A skilled truck accident attorney can investigate a driver's history and the company's drug testing policies to identify negligence and liability.Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding, tailgating, running red lights or stop signs, and other reckless driving behaviors are especially dangerous when a large commercial truck is involved. Tractor trailers require significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles, and excessive speed makes it even harder for trucks to slow down or maneuver to avoid a collision. Trucking companies must train their drivers to obey posted speed limits, maintain a safe following distance, and adjust their driving to account for weather conditions, road hazards, and traffic patterns. They are also responsible for disciplining drivers who engage in reckless behaviors behind the wheel. If a speeding or aggressive truck driver causes your accident, a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer can gather evidence from the truck's "black box" data recorder, traffic camera footage, and witness statements to prove negligence and liability. Your attorney will fight to hold the driver and their employer accountable for prioritizing speed over safety.Driver Fatigue
Truck driver fatigue is a leading cause of accidents, as drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Commercial truckers often face pressure to cover long distances quickly, and some may violate hours of service regulations that limit driving time to prevent fatigue. Unrealistic schedules, overnight driving, and inadequate rest breaks can all contribute to truck drivers falling asleep at the wheel or lacking the alertness to operate their vehicles safely. Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers follow hours of service rules and get enough rest to drive safely. They must also avoid imposing unrealistic deadlines that encourage drivers to skip breaks or falsify their driving logs. If a fatigued truck driver causes your accident, an experienced truck accident attorney can investigate hours of service logs, GPS data, and other evidence to determine if the driver or their employer violated safety regulations. Your lawyer will work to hold the company accountable for putting a dangerously tired driver on the road.Lack of Proper Training
Operating a tractor-trailer requires specialized knowledge and skills beyond the training needed to drive a passenger car. Trucking companies are responsible for properly training their drivers on safe driving techniques, defensive driving, managing blind spots, securing cargo, and conducting pre-trip inspections. Putting inadequately trained drivers behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle endangers everyone on the road. Undertrained drivers are more likely to make critical errors in judgment, improperly load cargo, or fail to adjust their driving to account for the unique challenges of operating a large truck. If an inexperienced or poorly trained truck driver causes a crash, a skilled truck accident lawyer can investigate the driver's background, employment history, and training records. Your attorney can help establish that the trucking company's negligent training practices contributed to your accident and injuries.Failure to Watch the Road
Truck drivers are responsible for actively scanning the road, checking their mirrors, and watching for changing traffic conditions, merging vehicles, and road hazards. Failure to adequately survey the road can result in a truck sideswiping another vehicle, swerving out of its lane, or being unable to stop in time to avoid a collision.
Trucking companies must train their drivers on attentive driving habits and avoid distractions that take their eyes off the road. They are also responsible for ensuring trucks are equipped with proper mirrors and safety equipment to maximize visibility.
A knowledgeable truck accident attorney can investigate if an inattentive truck driver fails to notice a hazard or vehicle in time to prevent a crash. Using evidence from dashboard cameras, witness statements, and accident reconstruction, your lawyer can work to prove driver negligence and hold their employer accountable.
Improper Truck Maintenance
The safe operation of large trucks demands regular maintenance and prompt repairs by qualified mechanics. Failure to properly maintain these mammoth vehicles is another common cause of devastating accidents. Examples of negligent truck maintenance include:- Worn or defective tires prone to blowouts
- Broken or missing lights, reflectors, and safety equipment
- Faulty brakes that increase stopping distance
- Transmission and engine failures
- Broken or missing mirrors that create blind spots
- Cracked or damaged windshields that obscure driver vision
- Improperly secured hood latches that lead to obstruction of the roadway
- Failure to maintain steering components, suspension, and other critical systems
Improperly Loaded Cargo
The massive size of commercial trucks means they can haul tens of thousands of pounds of cargo. But that cargo must be carefully and properly loaded to prevent issues like:- Overloaded trailers that strain brakes and steering
- Unbalanced loads that make trucks difficult to maneuver
- Unsecured cargo that can shift in transit and cause rollovers
- Inadequately contained cargo that falls from the vehicle into the roadway
- Hazardous or flammable cargo that is improperly labeled or mixed with other freight
Insufficient Driver Training
Operating a massive 18-wheeler requires far more skill than driving a standard passenger vehicle. Truck drivers must be trained on issues like:- Controlling a truck's momentum and inertia, especially in poor weather
- Maintaining a safe following distance to allow adequate stopping time
- Checking and adjusting mirrors to minimize blind spots
- Executing safe turns, lane changes, and merges
- Inspecting the truck and trailer before and during a trip
- Logging hours of service and taking required rest breaks
- Loading/unloading procedures and weight distribution
- Defensive driving techniques and avoiding road hazards
- Properly securing cargo and equipment
Unrealistic Schedules and Demands
Trucking is a deadline-driven industry with immense pressure to deliver goods quickly. Companies often impose unrealistic schedules and threaten drivers who fail to meet strict quotas. This encourages dangerous behaviors like speeding, skipping breaks, and violating hours of service rules that limit driving time to prevent fatigue. Drowsy driving is a leading cause of truck accidents, with some studies suggesting fatigue may play a role in up to 30-40 percent of crashes. Demanding schedules and inadequate rest breaks force drivers to stay on the road while dangerously fatigued. Tight deadlines and "just in time" logistics incentivize speeding, reckless driving, and cutting corners on inspections and safety protocols. Trucking companies that put profits over safety by imposing unrealistic expectations may be accountable when overworked and fatigued drivers cause crashes. A seasoned truck accident attorney can investigate delivery logs, driver schedules, and other evidence to determine if a company's policies and expectations factored into your wreck.Third-Party Negligence
Responsibility for a truck accident may extend beyond just the driver and trucking company. Other parties that may share liability include:
- Cargo owners, freight brokers, and shipping companies that demand unrealistic delivery times
- Truck and trailer manufacturers responsible for vehicle design and production
- Parts manufacturers that produce faulty tires, brakes, steering components, etc.
- Repair facilities that perform negligent maintenance or inspections
- Other motorists who cause a crash through negligent driving
- Government entities that fail to properly maintain, design, or light roadways