Every day, thousands of commercial trucks travel Louisiana’s highways, transporting goods through major corridors like I-10, I-12, and I-20. While these massive vehicles keep our economy moving, at Dudley DeBosier, our truck accident attorneys know first-hand the consequences of the risks they create on the road.

When a collision involves an 18-wheeler, the consequences are often devastating. The sheer size and weight difference between a fully loaded tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle means that occupants of smaller cars bear the brunt of the damage.

Understanding what causes these accidents is the first step toward protecting your rights if you’ve been hurt. Below, we examine the most common causes of big truck accidents and what they mean for injury victims.

Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations

Truck drivers face intense pressure to meet tight delivery schedules, and many push themselves beyond safe limits. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require commercial drivers to take mandatory rest breaks and limit their driving hours, but not all drivers and companies comply.

When a driver operates a truck while exhausted, their reaction times slow, their judgment suffers, and the risk of a serious crash increases dramatically. Fatigued driving is just as dangerous as impaired driving, yet it remains one of the leading contributors to truck accidents nationwide.

Evidence of hours-of-service violations can be found in driver logs, electronic logging devices, and company dispatch records. If fatigue played a role in your crash, these records become critical to proving liability.

Blind Spots and Unsafe Lane Changes

Large trucks have extensive blind spots along their sides, directly behind them, and in front of the cab. These “no-zones” make it easy for a truck driver to overlook smaller vehicles during lane changes, turns, or merging.

When a driver fails to properly check mirrors or signals before changing lanes, they can sideswipe or crush nearby vehicles. Victims in these crashes often suffer severe injuries with little warning.

Distraction and Inattention Behind the Wheel

Distracted driving is a problem for all motorists, but when an 80,000-pound truck is involved, the stakes are far higher. Truck drivers who take their eyes off the road to check their phones, adjust GPS systems and the radio, or eat, put everyone around them in danger.

Even a momentary lapse in attention can result in a truck drifting into another lane or failing to notice stopped traffic ahead. Given the stopping distance required for large trucks, distractions leave little room for error.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Speed limits exist for a reason, and they’re especially important for commercial trucks. A fully loaded truck traveling at excessive speed requires significantly more distance to stop than a passenger car. When a driver speeds, tailgates, or makes aggressive lane changes, they reduce their ability to react to sudden changes in road conditions.

Speeding is a factor in a substantial portion of motor vehicle crashes. Truck drivers who prioritize speed over safety, whether due to unrealistic delivery deadlines or reckless behavior, create avoidable and deadly hazards.

Improper Training and Inexperienced Drivers

Operating a commercial truck requires specialized skills, training, and a commercial driver’s license. Unfortunately, some trucking companies cut corners by putting drivers on the road who lack adequate training or experience, particularly for navigating challenging environments like congested urban streets or hazardous weather conditions.

When an undertrained truck driver misjudges a turn, fails to check blind spots properly, or panics in an emergency situation, the results can be catastrophic. Trucking companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are properly trained and qualified before putting them on the road.

Mechanical Failures and Poor Maintenance

Trucks require regular inspections and maintenance to operate safely. Faulty brakes, worn tires, steering malfunctions, and lighting failures can all lead to devastating crashes.

Federal regulations mandate routine vehicle inspections, but some companies and drivers neglect these requirements to save time or cut costs. When mechanical failures cause a crash, liability may extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, maintenance providers, or even parts manufacturers.

Improperly Loaded or Unsecured Cargo

How cargo is loaded onto a truck directly impacts its stability and handling, a fact that has led the FMCSA to publish cargo securement rules. Overloaded trucks, unevenly distributed weight, and unsecured cargo can all cause a driver to lose control, especially during turns or emergency maneuvers.

Cargo that shifts unexpectedly can cause a truck to jackknife, roll over, or drift into other lanes. When loading errors contribute to a crash, the company or third party responsible for securing the cargo may share liability.

Poor Weather and Road Conditions

Louisiana’s unpredictable weather, including heavy rain, fog, and occasional ice, can quickly create hazardous driving conditions. While weather itself isn’t a cause of negligence, failing to adjust driving behavior to match road conditions is.

Truck drivers must slow down, increase following distance, and exercise extra caution during adverse weather. When they don’t, hydroplaning, jackknifing, and loss of control become much more likely.

Driving Under the Influence

While commercial drivers are held to stricter standards than other motorists when it comes to alcohol and drug use, impaired driving still occurs. Some truck drivers operate under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or even certain prescription medications that impair their ability to drive safely.

Any level of impairment behind the wheel of a massive commercial vehicle is unacceptable and can result in both civil liability and criminal charges.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Truck Accident?

Determining liability in a truck accident claim often involves investigating multiple parties. Depending on what caused the crash, responsibility may fall on:

  • The truck driver for unsafe driving behavior, fatigue, distraction, or impairment
  • The trucking company for inadequate training, unsafe hiring practices, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations
  • Cargo loaders for improperly secured or unbalanced freight
  • Maintenance providers for failing to properly inspect or repair the vehicle
  • Parts manufacturers for defective components that contributed to the crash

Building a strong case requires thorough investigation, access to company records, driver logs, maintenance reports, and sometimes the testimony of accident reconstruction experts.

Protect Your Rights With Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, don’t assume the insurance company will treat you fairly. These cases are complex, and trucking companies often have aggressive legal teams working to minimize their liability.

You deserve attorneys who will fight just as hard for you.

At Dudley DeBosier, we help Louisiana truck accident victims recover every dollar they’re owed. We can investigate every angle of your case and hold all negligent parties accountable.

Contact us today for a free consultation.