Every year, over 500,000 accidents involve large commercial vehicles like 18-wheeler trucks. Because of their weight and size, these semi-trucks and tractor trailers can cause tremendous damage when they are operated or maintained improperly.  This means thousands of Americans are killed each year due to the negligence of truck companies and their drivers.  Sadly, truck accident statistics show that trucking accidents account for one of every eight traffic fatalities.

Some profit-driven trucking companies place unfair demands on their truck drivers, failing to recognize the toll on the truck driver of performing his/her job safely. Most truck drivers are only paid for moving a product from one location to another. This financial incentive for truckers, combined with pressure from their employers, encourages some truckers to engage in negligent and dangerous behaviors on the road that result in serious injuries, and often fatal, accidents.

Such negligent trucking behavior includes driving while fatigued, driving at excessive speed, using dangerous drugs to stay awake at night while driving and failing to adjust their speed for adverse weather conditions.

Many trucking companies cut corners to maintain their profitability due to competition and increasing fuel prices.  They may delay necessary vehicle inspections, refuse to replace worn or defective parts and pressure their drivers to drive more than the safe number of hours per day.  All of these practices have an enormous impact, causing thousands of deaths and millions of dollars in damages each year.

Commercial Driver Negligence

Trucking accidents are often caused by the negligence of the truck driver.  Types of driver negligence include:

• Driver fatigue
• Unsafe driving for adverse weather conditions
• Distracted driving, such as talking on the cell phone or eating while driving
• Truck driver aggression
• Influence of drugs or alcohol
• Excessive speed
• Failure to follow state and federal regulations
• General driver negligence while on the road

Trucking Company Negligence

Accidents involving a commercial truck and trailers can be the fault of the trucking company as well. Examples include:

• Poorly maintained vehicles
• Lack of adequate inspections
• Unreasonable deadlines to move product that force the driver to take unsafe risks
• Improperly loaded/overweight trucks
• Failure to follow state and federal regulations

Third Party Negligence

Sometimes trucking accident injuries are caused by a third party whose negligence might not initially be apparent. Examples include:

• Defective brakes
• Defective tires
• Defective computer systems
• Poor third party maintenance
• Negligence of other drivers

Trucking Accident Lawsuits

Trucking accident lawsuits
serve several valuable purposes.  Most importantly, they allow the victims of driver and trucking company negligence to recover financial damages to compensate for their medical bills, loss of income, pain, suffering and mental anguish.

Such lawsuits also serve to punish trucking companies for their gross negligence and willful violation of trucking laws and regulations.  Lastly, these lawsuits serve as a deterrent to trucking companies and truck drivers tempted in the future to cut corners to save time and money.