Driving a vehicle is always a dangerous task. There are a very view aspects of driving that an individual control, but the most dangerous part of driving is not knowing what the car in front or behind is going to do. Not knowing the results of another person’s actions is the most dangerous factor in driving a vehicle. When it comes to larger vehicles, such as 18 wheeler trucks, there are even more uncontrollable factors that a person cannot control. 18 Wheelers are perhaps the most dangerous vehicle, and there are a number of common reasons for their accidents.
This information is provided as a reference and for educational purposes only, contact an experienced Mesa Truck Accident attorney for legal and related counsel.
Driver Fatigue
Perhaps the most common cause of an 18 wheeler accident is because the driver is tired and is not completely aware of what is happening on the road. Truckers spend several hours on the road without any rest and this can cause them to become fatigued and potentially dangerous to the drivers around them. While becoming fatigued is not preventable for truckers, it is possible for them to decide and pull off the road and rest. Knowing when to take a break and rest is the most controllable factor that a trucker has on the road, but many times they think they can continue driving and not endanger the other drivers.
Texting and Driving
With modern technology, people have the ability to communicate with one another without ever speaking a word. Texting is one of the most popular tasks that people do on their regular cell phones and smart phones. While texting is a great way to stay in contact with friend or family, it is not great to be doing while a person is driving a vehicle. Texting causes the driver to focus their attention off of the road and on their phone. When a person is driving an 18 wheeler, there is even more risk because there are blind spots on the road, and there is more weight being hauled behind the driver than in a regular car. Texting accidents are becoming more frequent and cause some of the worst injuries to those involved.
Drugs and Alcohol
Driving under the influence is always a problem no matter what type of vehicle is being driven. Alcohol makes a person less capable of reacting to an incident on the road. While some people say that they are capable of driving and drinking, those are the ones that are the most dangerous because they truly believe that their reflexes and judgments are unaffected. When driving a large vehicle, such as an 18 wheeler, there are even more precautions that need to be taken to ensure the safety of the driver and others. When the driver is drinking, they are less likely to notice any problems with their brakes or cargo, and this can lead to a number of problems for the driver of the truck and everyone else around them.
Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm, has provided this article for informational purposes only, written by an independent author, and has not reviewed or edited this article and is not responsible for its content or accuracy.
