Semi truck accidents have become a major concern for California residents and policymakers alike. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles make them dangerous on the roads, and the frequency of accidents involving semi-trucks has many wondering if they are becoming more common. In this article, personal injury lawyers will take a closer look at the causes behind semi truck accidents in California and discuss what can be done to prevent them in the future.

Causes of Truck Accidents

There are several reasons for the increase in semi-truck accidents.

1. Driver Fatigue

Truck driver fatigue can lead to slowed reaction times, impaired judgment, and reduced awareness, increasing the risk of accidents. Driving for long hours without adequate rest can cause drowsiness, which can be especially dangerous when operating a large and heavy vehicle like a semi truck. This causes accidents and people reaching out to personal injury lawyers to sue the truck drivers.

2. Overloading of Cargo

Overloading a semi-truck with too much weight can affect the vehicle’s stability and braking ability, making it more difficult to control and increasing the risk of accidents. A standard semi-truck can carry about 35,000 pounds, but some drivers tend to overload their vehicles.

3. Substance Abuse by Truck Driver

Around 21 million people have an addiction to alcohol or drugs, including truck drivers. Substance abuse by truck drivers can impair their ability to operate the vehicle safely, increasing the risk of accidents. Alcohol and drugs can slow reaction times, impair judgment, and reduce awareness, making it more difficult to react to changes in traffic or road conditions.

4. Reckless or Aggressive Driving

Reckless or aggressive driving, such as speeding, tailgating, and sudden lane changes, can increase the risk of accidents. These types of driving behaviors can be especially dangerous in a large and heavy vehicle like a semi truck, which requires more time and distance to slow down or stop.

How To Prevent Truck Accidents

To prevent truck accidents, some steps that can be taken include:

• Proper maintenance of trucks and regular inspections to ensure they are roadworthy
• Training of truck drivers to enhance their driving skills and awareness of safety regulations.
• Adherence to hours of service regulations to prevent driver fatigue.
• Use of advanced safety technologies like lane departure warning systems, collision avoidance systems, and electronic stability control.
• Implementation of strict drug and alcohol testing policies for truck drivers.
• Enforcing regulations for overloading of trucks and ensuring that the weight of the cargo is evenly distributed.
• Educating other drivers on how to share the road with trucks safely.
• Strict enforcement of traffic laws to prevent dangerous behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and reckless driving.

Looking for Legal Guidance After a Truck Accident?

Semi truck accidents are far more common than we’d like, and the size of this vehicle often leads to others being injured in these accidents as well. If you’ve suffered an injury because of one, contact Bourassa Law Group. The law firm comprises talented and committed personal injury lawyers with extensive experience. The firm has several personal injury lawyers ready to help you get the settlement you deserve, including dog bite accident lawyers, car accident lawyers, motorbike accident lawyers, and more.

Contact them today for more information on what to do about your case.

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