Tulsa Truck Accident Lawyers

What are the common causes of Tulsa truck accidents?

The most common cause of any collision is driver error. When it comes to tractor-trailer wrecks or crashes involving other commercial trucks, the leading causes include:

• Driver fatigue. This is a major cause of truck crashes. Fatigue is so well known that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established rules on how many hours (during a day and during a week) a truck driver can be on the roads before he/she must take a rest. Drivers who are tired can’t respond to emergencies and can’t control their truck. Research has proven that fatigued driving is the equivalent of drunk driving. Chronic fatigue is rampant in the trucking industry. We know how to determine if a driver was violating the hours of service (HOS) requirements at the time of a collision. Many vehicles are now equipped with video cameras showing the drivers and we know how to get those videos to determine why a collision occurred.
• Drunk driving. It’s tempting for many truck drivers who are away from home to stop and have a drink. Drinking and driving is a deadly mix. The FMCSA regulations require a company to test their truck driver employees after every collision. We will obtain these results through our investigation into the case. We often request punitive damages in addition to the economic damages and pain and suffering damages.
• Distracted driving. The FMCSA regulates say that it is illegal for a truck driver to be using a cell phone or other hand-held device. However, driving long hours without company gets lonely. It’s easy for drivers to focus on listening to music or trying to watch a video. Many drivers rely too much on their GPS systems to direct their traffic routes. Distracted drivers take their hands off the wheel, their eyes off the road, and their minds off the essential second-by-second operation of their truck. Distracted driving is the difference in life and death. We know this and we are prepared to discover if a collision was caused by distracted driving in violation of the FMCSA regulations.
• Speeding. FMCSA regulations govern the speed by which a driver can travel and the hours of service that can be completed safely. Despite the regulations, truck drivers are often under pressure from others to deliver their goods ahead of schedule. If drivers speed, the driver and the companies that pressured them to speed should be held accountable. We know how to find out if a truck driver had speeding issues and we will work to hold trucking companies who place profit above safety pay the price in court.
• Blind spots. Truck drivers are trained that their trucks have significant blind spots. They understand that most trucks with trailers don’t have visible sight lines behind the truck and to the sides of the truck. Yet, many truck accidents happen because the truck driver just didn’t see that another vehicle was in its path.
• Improperly secured truck loads. Truck loads should be properly secured. The items on the truck shouldn’t shift while the trucks are moving. Truck loads must meet certain weight limits. Unsecure loads and improperly loaded cargo can cause a truck driver to lose control.
• Driver inexperience. Each truck is unique. Drivers who drive commercial trucks must have a commercial driver’s license. Drivers should be trained on how to use their specific type of truck – box truck, van, 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or other type. However, drivers have often come to America to drive a truck and have little experience on American roads and may be unfamiliar with the rules of the road in America. Over the last several years, many fake truck driving schools have been found to be giving licenses to ill-equipped foreign truck drivers. We have experience discovering this information.
• Failure to inspect the vehicle before each trip. All parts of the truck should be routinely inspected before each trip. Unsafe trucks shouldn’t be driven until proper repairs are made.

Other common causes of trucking accidents are due to following too closely, improper merging, and other traffic regulations. Truck drivers also need to understand how to operate their trucks in bad weather. If you were injured by a truck traveling on local roads or on the interstate, contact us today.