Truck collisions and their five most frequent causes

After being injured at the hands of a negligent truck driver in New York, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Chances are that the accident you were in was caused by one of the following five factors. These are the leading causes of truck accidents.

Driver error at the top

At the top of the list is driver error, but it should be noted that passenger vehicle drivers are more often the ones who commit errors. It could be anything from drowsy driving or DUI to distracted driving and speeding. These can be avoided through defensive driving techniques.

Error can present itself even before drivers get behind the wheel, though. Poor vehicle maintenance is the second cause of truck accidents with many truckers failing to inspect their rig before every shift, thus letting issues like cracked windshields and worn brake pads affect their driving performance.

Manufacturing defects in truck parts

Thirdly, many crashes occur because of the failure of defective parts. The manufacturer, not the trucker, would be to blame for such incidents. In some cases, the mechanic who repaired or installed the part or the trucking company that sold the truck may be implicated as well.

Bad weather and improperly loaded cargo

Many truckers are inexperienced when it comes to driving in bad weather and may wind up hydroplaning or jackknifing on wet or snowy roads. The last common cause of accidents is improperly loaded cargo. Tip-overs become especially likely in situations like this. Cargo might be incorrectly secured, in which case it may spill out onto the road.

A lawyer for your personal injury case

Motor vehicle accidents that involve an 80,000-pound big rig can lead to serious injuries for people in a passenger vehicle. You may have incurred trauma to the brain or spinal cord and been left to deal with a permanent disability. Under personal injury law, you may be entitled to compensation, so you might want to discuss things with a lawyer. The lawyer may be able to negotiate on your behalf for a settlement.