Commercial truck collisions are often the result of driver error. Other people get too close to a commercial truck, or the professional operating the big rig might drive too quickly, given road conditions.
While mistakes by motorists account for the vast majority of semi-truck collisions, there are some factors outside of the control of either driver that contribute to or cause major collisions. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates that one in 10 crashes caused by a commercial vehicle is the result of issues with the vehicle.
What types of issues could cause a preventable crash?
Deferred maintenance or repairs
Semi-trucks put in a lot of time on the road, which translates to a lot of wear on critical systems. Owner-operators and transportation companies need to inspect semi-trucks frequently to ensure that they perform maintenance and necessary repairs promptly. Issues with the brakes or the tires could lead to a sudden loss of control that causes a preventable crash.
Unsafe loading
Improper loading is one of the top vehicle issues that may cause commercial truck collisions. Perhaps a client loaded the trailer and did not properly balance the weight. Maybe they didn’t secure items that could move around in the trailer and change the distribution of weight while the vehicle is in motion. Even the presence of liquids that the driver does not know about could affect their ability to safely drive the semi-truck.
Identifying what caused a semi-truck crash can provide insight into who is liable for the collision. Trucking companies, clients that loaded trailers and even maintenance professionals might be liable for semi-truck collisions that has occurred due to issues with the vehicle at issue.