Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Since large trucks pose a significant threat to road safety, the trucking industry is heavily regulated by state and federal laws. Safety regulations aside, however, truck accidents are still an all-too-common occurrence on roadways in Illinois and across the nation. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 6,678 accidents involving commercial trucks in Illinois in 2024 – an average of 18 wrecks a day.
The most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver errors
- Violations of state and federal trucking regulations
- Trucking company negligence
- Auto defects
The sad truth is that most truck accidents can be avoided.
Driver Errors
Everyone who shares the road – from truck drivers to motorcyclists to drivers of passenger vehicles – assumes a duty of care. This duty of care requires adherence to state and local traffic laws and applicable safety regulations, as well as a general obligation to exercise caution.
However, most truck accidents are caused by driver negligence, which can include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- Truck driver fatigue
- Unsafe lane changes
- Braking errors
- Blind spot errors
Even minor errors, mistakes, or lapses in judgment can breach the duty of care to drive safely and cause devastating truck accidents.
Violations of State and Federal Trucking Regulations
Truck drivers and trucking services are expected to comply with enhanced safety guidelines, as imposed by Illinois state law and the FMCSA. These safety regulations are designed to increase safe trucking operations and substantially reduce the likelihood that a commercial vehicle causes or is involved in a traffic accident.
All too often, however, violations of these critical safety rules are fundamental in many of the nation’s large truck accidents.
These include:
- Driving in excess of hours of service limitations
- Failing to secure vehicle equipment and/or loads properly
- Hazardous materials violations
- Ignoring truck inspection and maintenance requirements
- Falsifying driver RODs or vehicle inspection logs
- Controlled substances and alcohol violations
- Moving violations
- Driver training violations
As the victim of a truck accident in Chicago, it’s important to hire an experienced truck accident attorney who has the knowledge and resources necessary to identify the root cause of your collision, including what safety regulations were likely violated before and/or during the crash.
Trucking Company Negligence
Trucking companies are profit-driven entities, so some might be inclined to push the boundaries of safety to pad their bottom line.
When a trucking company cuts corners, its negligence can cause serious truck accidents.
Some of the most commonly cited instances of trucking company negligence include:
- Hiring unqualified truck drivers
- Negligent truck maintenance
- Inadequate training
- Failing to pull an unsafe vehicle out of service
- Incentivizing truck drivers to violate safety regulations
Trucking companies can be liable for their own negligence, and many times, vicariously liable for a driver’s mistakes, as well.
Auto Defects
Some truck accidents are the result of auto defects, often involving:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Electrical systems
- Steering systems
- Vehicle lights
- Vehicle suspension
- Enginges
Defects or mechanical issues can often be detected during routine truck maintenance. The chances that a defect contributes to a truck accident are much greater when truck inspection requirements are ignored.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Chicago, Illinois, you may be entitled to compensation. However, to build a winning legal claim, you’ll have to be able to prove how and why your truck accident happened – and that it was someone else’s fault.
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC can offer the experienced, resourceful legal representation you’ll need during this trying time. We’ve helped injury victims win hundreds of millions in damages. Now, we’re ready to help you win big, too.
Contact our Chicago truck accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.