Investigating the Causes of Fatal Truck Crashes

Fatal truck accidents are unfortunately a very common thing. There were close to half a million this past year, and this number is going to increase again if past trends are to be considered. Dealing with the consequences of a lost loved one in these circumstances is a tentative thing, and one that should be explored carefully. How are the reasons behind fatal crashes determined, and what makes trucks one of the leading causes behind this type of incidents? This guide has the answers.

What Are the Leading Causes of Fatalities?

There are multiple factors that make truck related road incidents dangerous. Fatalities can happen in collisions regardless of the vehicles involved, but when a truck causes the events, the risk is increased significantly. The causes for this are quite straightforward and are explored in more detail below.

The Size and Weight of Trucks

Trucks are amongst the largest vehicles in the world. They can reach weights of 80,000 lbs., but this is the legal cap, and all fleets have to adhere to these regulations. That being said, sometimes trucks with lower capacity are still overloaded to cut costs, or because of human error, and this makes it even more dangerous in terms of handling and impact if a collision occurs. They will be more difficult to manage for the driver and cause untold damages if they come into contact with other vehicles.

Speeding

The impact of this alone is enough to make speeding a major concern. If a truck driver is trying to make up for lost time because of a bout of traffic, or just to get the journey over with faster, then they are putting everyone else around them at risk. It is difficult to predict response times under normal driving circumstances, so when speeding is a factor, it is even more unpredictable to successfully determine braking times or distances. This puts all the other road users at risk of being collided with and there is a strong possibility of that leading to a fatality. If speeding is suspected, the data should be accessible through the truck’s black box data which will tell an attorney or other investigating party everything they need to know.

Poor Weather

Nobody can control the weather, but truck drivers are professionally obligated to plan for the journey ahead by looking into what will be happening in the skies along their route. Weather changes rapidly, and one hour’s difference can bring a thunderstorm directly into your path. This means, truck drivers should always observe the weather every step of the way and make appropriate adjustments or accommodations if their route demands it. While pulling over and taking a break means a job will take longer and risks other complications such as fatigue, it is worth it when you consider that fatal accidents are often caused by mishandling in poor weather.

Using a Mobile Phone

It is illegal for any road user to use their mobile phone while behind the wheel and actively driving. However, it does still happen and remains a primary cause of road-based fatalities. It is not difficult to imagine that truck drivers using mobile phones (whether that is texting, calling or scrolling through reels) are significantly increasing the scope for a fatal collision to take place. This kind of reckless driving is harmful to anyone around, and the consequences can be catastrophic.

Truck Driver Tiredness

The last key factor behind fatal truck accidents is driver tiredness. There are long journeys and driving is difficult over big stretches, and that is why there are strict policies regarding break taking and length of shift. However, these are not always followed or another factor like illness plays a part and leads to a driver simply not being awake or alert enough to safely manage the truck. A travel log can be checked to ensure the driver was operating legally and took the proper precautions before they started driving.

The Steps to Take After a Fatality Occurs

The impact of losing a loved one can never be put into words. However, as a family member, you are entitled to seek justice on their behalf, and you can do this by contacting our offices of law. Our team of attorneys has the experience and determination to fight your case, and we will tell you crucial things such as what not to say and which evidence you could need to present in order to successfully represent the facts.

Here are some key stages to be aware of.

The Truck Will be Observed

Everything about the truck including the black box data will be investigated. This is to rule out mechanical faults and dangerous driving actions. These should all be recorded by the company and kept in a secure log. Evidence of tampering or misinformation will be exposed, so don’t worry too much about that.

The Driver Investigations

Then, if the truck is found to be okay, the driver will be investigated too. They are likely to be checked for alcohol levels at the scene of the accident, and these results will be factored into the investigatory process. Their health history will be dived into including any current conditions they are suffering from too. Anything that could have played a role, will be uncovered.

Evidence and Witness Statements

The final stage will be about gathering further credible information that could explain or influence the outcome of the case. These are the people who may have seen the accident taking place from another vehicle or roadside, and other things like any video footage from the scene as well. Everything can be relevant, so no stone will be left unturned.

Truck accidents happen for so many reasons, and when a fatality occurs it is an even more sensitive situation. It is only natural to want to find answers and understand what happened while securing compensation for the damages and emotional strain it has caused. The investigation process is long, but always easier with an experienced attorney by your side.

There is no time to delay, so get in touch with us at William J. Luse Accident & Injury Lawyers.

You can visit us at 917 Broadway St, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Or call now for a free consultation on (843) 839-4795.