When operating a motor vehicle, you understand that you have to share the road with others, including commercial trucks. The more knowledge you have of truck accidents, the easier it is to adjust your approach with the idea of avoiding trouble.

While some causes of truck accidents are widely understood, such as distracted driving and drowsy driving, others are frequently overlooked by motorists sharing the highway. Understanding these less obvious risk factors can help you recognize dangerous situations and protect your legal rights if an accident occurs.

Common Overlooked Causes of Truck Accidents

• Improper training: There’s nothing easy about operating a commercial truck, and that’s especially true among drivers who are new to the profession. Without the proper training, with a focus on the rules of the road, technique and defensive driving, there’s a greater chance of an accident. Trucking companies have a legal responsibility to ensure their drivers receive adequate instruction before operating large vehicles on public roads.
• Improper loading: When you see a commercial truck on the road, there’s no way of knowing what’s inside it or how it was loaded. And that’s a problem. For example, if the weight distribution is not correct, it increases the risk of the vehicle tipping. Cargo that shifts during transit can cause the driver to lose control, particularly during turns or emergency maneuvers.
• Drive by accidents: For example, if you’re driving on the interstate and run into trouble with your vehicle, such as overheating or a flat tire, you’ll pull to the shoulder of the road. Even if you move as far away from traffic as possible, you’re still at risk of being struck by a passing vehicle. If a trucker isn’t paying attention or neglects to leave enough space while passing, you and/or your vehicle are at risk.
• Unrealistic schedule: Trucking companies often set unrealistic schedules, thus leading the driver to take risks on the road. This includes everything from speeding to illegal passing to driving for too many consecutive hours. Federal regulations limit driving hours, but pressure from employers can push drivers to violate these safety rules.

Determining Liability in Commercial Truck Accidents

As you can see, there’s no shortage of potential causes of a truck accident. Also, it’s not always the driver who is responsible for the crash, but sometimes the trucking company itself. Employers may be held liable for inadequate training, unrealistic delivery demands, poor vehicle maintenance, or hiring practices that fail to screen unqualified drivers.

Your Legal Rights After a Truck Accident

If you’re injured in a car-truck accident, receive medical treatment and follow the advice of your physician. Once you understand your injuries and prognosis, you can turn more of your attention to the cause of the accident, your legal rights and holding the at-fault party responsible. A truck accident attorney can help investigate the circumstances, identify all liable parties, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to recover.