Driver Error as a Cause of Truck Accidents

The number of truck accidents in the United States has gone up 20 percent over the last two decades. When a truck and a smaller vehicle collide, there is a high possibility that the occupants of the smaller vehicle will sustain serious or even fatal injuries due to the truck’s weight and size.

In 2002 alone, 4,897 people were killed while 130,000 others were injured due to accidents involving a large truck, as stated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Driver Error

According to FMCSA, driver error is ten times more likely to trigger the occurrence of a truck accident compared to other factors like poor road conditions and the weather.

Trucking companies should be careful when hiring drivers because they may also be held liable in the accident if it occurred because one of their drivers is guilty of negligent driving while on-duty.

Here are two common causes of truck accidents that are related to driver error:

·         Drug use- Truck drivers are prohibited from using controlled substances, especially while they are on-duty. They may only take drugs if it was prescribed by a physician who is aware of their assigned duties and medical history.

It is the responsibility of the physician to make sure that the drug will not have a negative effect on his patient’s driving ability.

In order to prevent truck accidents caused by drug use, drivers are required to take drug tests so that it can be determined if they are fit to operate the truck. However, results of an investigation showed that drivers who have taken prescription drugs may come out clean during the Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test process just by using different products, specifically urine.

·         Driver fatigue- A driver who is exhausted will likely misjudge gaps, fall asleep, over or under-react to a certain situation, or become inattentive.

The “hours of service rules” have been created in order to make sure that drivers will have enough sleep and rest before they do their job duties. These rules only allow drivers to work for about 14 hours each day and also prevent them from driving for more than 11 hours.

If an accident happened because the driver showed signs of exhaustion, you may have a good case against him, especially if you were able to show that he exceeded the number of work hours that was imposed by the law.

For more information about truck accidents, you may contact a Los Angeles accident attorney of Mesriani Law Group at (310) 826-6300.