Just like an automobile, boat, and motorcycle accidents, truck accidents have their own unique causes and statistics. Attorneys like Houston truck accident attorney/lawyer are very familiar with these causes and statistics. The use of narcotics is one of the causes of truck accidents.
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS ARE NOT ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS
A lot of people think that alcohol and drugs are one of the main causes of truck accidents. United States Department of Transportation found out that only 3.1 percent of truck accidents were caused by alcohol and drug use. Illegal drug use is only 2.3 percent, while alcohol is only 0.8 percent of the accidents. According to the research done by the United States Department of Transportation.
OTHER CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Illegal drugs are not one of the main cause of truck accidents. However, prescription drugs were the single greatest contributor to truck accidents at 26.3 percent. The next main cause of this type of accident was “driving too fast for the weather conditions” at 22.9 percent. Fatigue contributed to 13 percent of the accidents. While over-the-counter drug use contributed to 17.3 percent of the accidents.
Other common causes of truck accidents include loss of control of the truck, vehicle failure, being cut off by another vehicle, and poor road conditions. The HOS (hours of service) that a truck driver puts in can also cause an accident. The Law requires the truck drivers to only drive so many hours per day and per week. They also have to rest for so many hours before they can drive again.
It is essential that drivers follow these guidelines. If they do not, they will be driving while fatigued and that will result in an accident. Truck accident lawyer knows all about these types of accidents. Malfunctions in the truck themselves like defective truck parts, improperly secured loads, neglected maintenance by the trucking company, and the behavior of other drivers on the road can also cause truck accidents.
THE WEIGHT OF A TRUCK CAN ALSO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration legal weight limit for an eighteen wheeler that is carrying a full load is 80,000 pounds. However, some trucks weigh even more because they have a special permit that allows them to carry a heavier load or because their owners and operators choose to ignore the laws regarding weight in trucks.
Some other causes of truck accidents include loss of control of the truck due to an event like a tire blowout, shifting cargo, lane drifting, driving off of the edge of the road, coming upon a stopped vehicle, and finding objects on the highway. Construction equipment being in the way when it should not also cause truck accidents. I know two young truck drivers that died in such fashion. I used to work with them.
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