If you spend any time driving in or around the Denver, Colorado, area, you know that you are always sharing the road with truckers.
While most truck drivers share the road and act in a responsible manner, you should not expect this to be the case across the board.
As the driver of a passenger vehicle, you must always share the road with trucks. You should also understand the top causes of truck accidents, as this can help you prevent trouble on the road.
Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents:
- Distracted driving. When a trucker falls prey to a distraction, such as a cellphone, there is as greater chance that he or she will cause an accident.
- Drunk driving. It’s not something you expect out of a truck driver, but there are times when a person drinks and drives.
- Drowsy driving. Truckers spend long hours on the road, meaning that they may become tired every now and again. Drowsy driving greatly increases the likelihood of a crash.
- Inadequate training. It’s important for all truckers to receive proper training with regard to defensive driving, safety concerns and driving technique.
- Unrealistic schedules. Some trucking companies push their drivers entirely too hard. One of the ways they do this is by setting unrealistic schedules that can’t be met. This prompts truckers to speed and spend too many hours on the road.
- Reckless driving. There are many forms of reckless driving, including speeding, weaving and failure to yield.
It’s easy to overlook these common causes of truck accidents. Instead, you assume that all truck drivers are doing their part in keeping the roads safe.
If you are part of a truck accident in the future, move your vehicle to safety and call 911. You want to receive immediate medical assistance, as this can help you avoid long-term damage that can change your life forever.
If you find that the trucker was responsible for the accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit to receive compensation for injuries, damage to your vehicle, lost wages and more.