All kinds of things can cause an accident out there on the road. For big rigs, some of the most common causes of wrecks include speeding, distracted driving, bad weather and cargo shifts.
The truth is, however, that trucking companies could do more to prevent wrecks. In fact, these companies sometimes even make the situation worse. Here are two ways trucking companies actually cause accidents:
When they don’t maintain their Fleet properly
According to an analysis of crash data performed by the Federal Motor Carrier Transportation Safety Administration, in approximately 10% of crashes caused by commercial vehicles, it is an issue with the vehicle itself that leads to the crash.
When a trucking company doesn’t maintain its fleet properly via routine checks and repairs on the tires, breaks and more, that can lead to tragic results for both the driver and others on the road.
When they push their drivers to break the rules
Trucking companies need to find a way to turn a profit while paying their drivers a living wage and paying for the constantly fluctuating costs of the fuel necessary to power their fleet.
Commercial transportation businesses sometimes engage in very questionable employment practices, like expecting their drivers to manually enter information into their electronic logging device while driving or to respond to phone calls, text messages or emails while at the wheel. Policies that force drivers to speed or otherwise drive unsafely to reach a destination by a deadline can also put the public at risk.
Looking closely at the police report for the commercial crash can help you determine who is ultimately responsible for the losses you suffered.
