The 5 Top Causes of Alabama Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents happen frequently in Alabama, and far too many of them are the result of negligent or reckless decisions. These vehicles can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a typical passenger vehicle, which means a careless choice behind the wheel of a semi-truck can have catastrophic consequences.

If you want to hold the at-fault party accountable and recover your rightful compensation after a truck accident, you first need to understand how the collision occurred and whether it constitutes a valid personal injury claim.

Take a look at the top five causes of truck accidents in Alabama to get an idea of what negligence in a personal injury claim might look like:

Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers often face demanding schedules and long hours on the road. Federal regulations limit driving time for truckers, but some drivers or trucking companies push past safe limits to meet delivery deadlines, leading to driver fatigue.

Truck driver fatigue reduces reaction time and impairs judgment, significantly increasing the likelihood of dangerous mistakes. A tired driver may drift between lanes or fail to react quickly to sudden traffic changes, causing serious motor vehicle crashes.

Distracted Driving

Truck driver distracted driving takes an already dangerous issue and amplifies the danger a hundredfold. When a driver looks away from the road for even a few seconds, they can travel the length of a football field, essentially blindfolded. That’s why Alabama law makes it illegal in most cases to text while driving.

Common distractions in truck accident cases include:

• Texting or phone use
• Adjust GPS systems
• Eating or drinking
• Communicating with dispatch

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Speeding not only increases the risk of truck accidents by reducing stopping distance and reaction time, but also makes collisions even more devastating due to the immense force generated.

Aggressive driving, such as tailgating and unsafe lane changes, often occurs when drivers of large trucks feel pressured to meet deadlines. These decisions significantly elevate the crash risk of a serious or even deadly collision.

Poor Truck Maintenance and Equipment Failure

Federal law requires trucking companies to regularly inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles. When these companies cut corners on maintenance, mechanical failures can occur at the worst possible time. Brake failures, tire blowouts, broken lights, and steering system issues are among the most easily preventable risks for trucking companies, yet they often cause serious harm.

Improper Training and Hiring Practices

Trucking companies must take great care when hiring and training employees. When they fail to vet potentially dangerous drivers or to adequately train new drivers, they put everyone on the road at risk.

Importance of Identifying the Cause of a Truck Accident

Determining the cause of the accident can help your truck accident lawyer identify who’s responsible for what happened and who owes you compensation. For instance, if the accident happened because the truck driver was too tired to drive safely, your attorney will want to look into exactly why they were so fatigued. Driver logs and on-board computer data might show the driver broke hours-of-service rules, while the driver might testify that they were under pressure from their company to meet tight deadlines. In this case, both the driver and the company may bear responsibility.

When to Speak with an Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve suffered injuries in a truck accident, you should speak with an experienced Alabama truck accident lawyer right away. Early legal guidance can help preserve key evidence and prevent you from making costly mistakes that can harm your claim. Contact the team at Stokes Stemle, LLC, today for your free consultation.