Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road and tight schedules can lead to truck drivers becoming exhausted, which can impair their judgment and reaction time.
Reckless driving: Speeding, tailgating, and other forms of aggressive driving by truck drivers can increase the risk of accidents.
Mechanical problems: Poorly maintained trucks or defective parts can contribute to accidents, such as brake failures or tire blowouts.
Overloaded trailers: Carrying too much cargo can make a truck harder to control and more likely to overturn.
Impaired driving: Truck drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs are at a higher risk of causing accidents.
Distracted driving: Taking phone calls, texting, or eating while driving can take a truck driver's attention away from the road.
Unsecured loads: Loads that are not properly secured can shift or fall out of the truck, creating a hazard for other road users.
Jackknifing: This occurs when the trailer swings out to the side of the truck, typically when the truck stops suddenly or turns too sharply.
Underride accidents: These occur when a smaller vehicle runs underneath the back of a truck, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
Blind spots: Trucks have large blind spots around the sides and rear of the vehicle, which can make it difficult for drivers to see smaller vehicles.
It's important to note that these are just some of the common causes of tractor-trailer accidents, and each accident may have unique contributing factors. To prevent these accidents, it's crucial for truck drivers to be well-rested, follow safety regulations, and drive responsibly.
