Semi-trucks are a cost-effective form of ground transportation. They help companies get perishable items from sorting and production facilities to retail establishments quickly. They help control the cost of maintaining supply chain infrastructure in the United States.
Unfortunately, they also create a degree of risk for everyone on the road. The massive size of semi-trucks makes them capable of causing devastating collisions with smaller vehicles. They are also much more difficult to manage than smaller vehicles because of their size and unique design features.
Crashes involving semi-trucks have the power to devastate people in smaller vehicles. People who understand what causes many commercial truck collisions can take steps to enhance their safety in traffic. What contributes to the likelihood of a commercial truck collision?
Getting too close in traffic
Statistics show that a majority of semi-truck collisions are the fault of the bigger vehicle or its operator. However, some crashes occur because of the decisions made by those in passenger vehicles. Frequently, the failure to leave adequate space around a semi-truck is a major risk factor. People driving in the blind spots around semi-trucks and those who cut them off in traffic can end up causing collisions that have life-altering consequences.
Mistakes by commercial drivers
When looking at the breakdown of crash causes, making the wrong decision based on traffic circumstances is the top cause of semi-truck collisions. Commercial drivers need to adjust their speed based on weather and road conditions. They need to leave adequate space around their vehicles. The wrong decision can ultimately lead to a preventable collision with major consequences for others.
Surveillance issues
The second leading cause of commercial vehicle collisions where the semi-truck is at fault is inadequate surveillance. Choosing not to check the blind spots around a truck can have major consequences. So can distraction related to dispatch devices, meals or personal technological devices, such as a driver’s mobile phone.
Vehicle issues
Problems with commercial vehicles can cause collisions. Improper loading or deferred maintenance can lead to drivers losing control. Approximately one in 10 collisions caused by semi-trucks are the result of issues with the vehicle rather than anything that the driver did or did not do.
People in passenger vehicles often have limited control over the factors that contribute to commercial collision risk. Understanding what may have caused a semi-truck crash could help people feel more confident as they seek compensation after a wreck.