Truck accidents can be catastrophic. When a vehicle weighing up to 80,000 pounds is involved in a crash, the impact can be devastating, often leaving people severely injured and struggling to piece their lives back together. If you’ve been injured in a truck-related accident, you may wonder what went wrong and whether it could have been avoided.
The truth is that many truck accidents are preventable when truck drivers and their employers uphold their safety responsibilities. Understanding what should be done to reduce the likelihood of these accidents is important—not just for holding the right parties accountable but for encouraging safer practices in the trucking industry.
The Responsibilities of Truck Drivers
Truck drivers have critical roles to play when it comes to safety on the road. Their job is demanding, requiring long hours, focus, and adherence to a range of regulations designed to keep both them and other road users safe. But what exactly should truck drivers be doing to prevent accidents?
1. Proper Training
Driving a commercial truck isn’t the same as hopping behind the wheel of a car. Maneuvering such a large vehicle requires specialized training. Drivers must learn how to handle turns, maintain control on steep hills, and react to hazards like changing weather or erratic drivers.
A lack of proper training often leads to errors that could otherwise be avoided. For instance:
- Not knowing a truck’s braking limitations can lead to rear-end collisions.
- Failing to check blind spots during lane changes can result in side-impact accidents.
Every truck driver should complete rigorous training and hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) before hitting the road. Failure to do so puts everyone on the road at risk.
2. Staying Alert and Avoiding Fatigue
Truck drivers often face tight deadlines that push them to work grueling hours. When drivers overexert themselves, fatigue becomes a major concern. Fatigue slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and increases the likelihood of accidents.
To prevent this, drivers should:
- Adhere to hours-of-service regulations, which limit how long they can drive without rest.
- Take regular breaks—even if they feel pressured to meet tight schedules.
- Pull over immediately if they feel drowsy behind the wheel.
Resting isn’t just a personal choice; it’s a responsibility that could save lives.
3. Conducting Pre-Trip Inspections
Before starting their route, truck drivers are required to inspect their vehicles carefully. This involves checking crucial parts like brakes, tires, lights, and mirrors to ensure the truck is roadworthy. A quick inspection can reveal issues like worn-out tires or faulty lights that, if ignored, could lead to accidents later.
Skipping these inspections might save some time in the short term, but the risks to safety could be enormous.
4. Following Speed Limits
Speeding is a recipe for disaster, especially for large vehicles with longer stopping distances. Truck drivers must always obey posted speed limits and adjust their driving to suit conditions like heavy rain, snow, or traffic. By driving defensively, they can dramatically reduce the chances of accidents.
5. Avoiding Distractions
Lastly, distractions can lead to tragedy in a split second. While it’s tempting to glance at a phone or snack on the road, truck drivers need to keep their full attention on driving. A moment’s distraction could mean missing a stopped car, veering out of their lane, or failing to brake in time.
The Responsibilities of Truck Employers
While drivers are on the front lines, their employers play a huge role in preventing truck accidents. Employers set the stage for safety by ensuring their hiring practices, maintenance schedules, and work culture prioritize safe operations above profits.
1. Hiring Qualified Drivers
Employers must take care when hiring drivers. This means thoroughly vetting candidates to ensure they hold the necessary licenses, have completed proper training, and have safe driving records. Rushing to fill positions with underqualified workers puts lives at risk.
2. Providing Ongoing Training
Safety trends and regulations evolve, so a one-and-done approach to training doesn’t cut it. Employers should offer continuous education and refresher courses to help drivers stay updated on best practices. Topics like defensive driving, equipment use, and handling hazardous materials should be covered regularly.
3. Maintaining Vehicles
Regular maintenance is one of the most important responsibilities of truck employers. Without it, trucks are prone to mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, which can cause deadly accidents.
Employers should prioritize:
- Performing routine inspections and repairs.
- Replacing worn-out parts before they fail.
- Keeping detailed maintenance logs to track the condition of each truck.
4. Avoiding Unrealistic Delivery Schedules
Setting unrealistic delivery expectations puts undue pressure on drivers to speed, skip breaks, or cut corners. Employers must ensure their deadlines allow drivers to operate safely within hours-of-service limits and give them enough time for rest.
5. Adhering to Regulations
Employers are required to follow various federal and state trucking regulations. This includes ensuring that each truck meets safety standards, filing proper permits, and regularly auditing their fleets for issues. Companies that skirt these responsibilities risk not only accidents but also legal consequences.
When Things Go Wrong
Despite these responsibilities, accidents still happen. If you’ve been injured in a truck-related accident, it’s important to take action to protect your rights and uncover the root cause of what went wrong.
Was Negligence to Blame?
The key to determining liability in a truck accident is understanding whether negligence was involved. Negligence could include:
- A fatigued driver ignoring hours-of-service rules.
- An employer failing to maintain brakes.
- A driver texting behind the wheel.
If negligence played a role, injured parties may be able to seek compensation from the responsible truck driver, their employer, or both.
What Compensation Can You Seek?
If you’ve suffered injuries due to a truck accident, the compensation you may receive could cover:
- Medical bills, including surgeries, hospital stays, and physical therapy.
- Lost wages during your recovery.
- Pain and suffering for the emotional toll of your injuries.
- Future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to work.
Consulting an experienced personal injury attorney is essential for navigating these legal claims and ensuring you receive a fair settlement.
Midland Truck Accident Attorney
As you navigate the journey towards enhancing safety and reducing accidents in your trucking operations, consider partnering with Hanna Allen, PLLC. Based in Abilene, TX, our expertise in personal injury law provides invaluable insights into risk management strategies tailored to your specific needs.
Connect with us today at (432) 220-2649 and explore our comprehensive services designed to protect your drivers and your business.