Northwest Indiana’s network of interstate highways serve as vital arteries for traveling across the United States. Commuters, travelers and commercial truck drivers all share these roads. However, sharing isn’t always easy, as truck driver accidents can be quite common.
So, what can cause these types of accidents in Northwest Indiana?
Mechanical errors can be a common cause
Semi trucks, like any other vehicle on Indiana roads, can have mechanical errors and malfunctions. Unfortunately, if truck drivers or the companies that employ them do not address them properly, the truck can malfunction and potentially cause an accident. Here are a few types of truck mechanical failures that can cause an accident:
- Tire blowouts: When tires burst, a semi can spin out and result in a crash.
- Brake failures: When a truck driver’s air or hydraulic brake systems don’t work properly, it can limit their ability to react quickly to any hazards occurring in front of them.
- Faulty steering systems: Any leaks, malfunctions, or errors in a semi’s steering system can make it harder for truckers to control and balance their vehicle, especially when taking sharp turns.
- Broken suspension: A semi’s suspension system is one of its most critical features. It can allow them to drive on uneven surfaces, potholes, bumps, and other road hazards with minimal disruption. Even minor issues with a truck’s suspension system can cause drivers to lose control and stability of their vehicle.
- Wiring errors: A truck’s wiring is what allows it to have functional turn signals, headlights, brake lights, fog lights, marker lights and wheel lights. If any of these lights have faulty wiring, they can’t work properly and limit a truck driver’s ability to see what is in front of them or signal their intentions to other drivers.
Trucking companies and truck drivers both have a duty of care to ensure their vehicles work how they are supposed to and are safe to drive on Indiana roads.
Truck driver negligence can also play a role
Human error can be just as, if not more, dangerous than mechanical error when it comes to semis. These are a few of the things semi-truck drivers do that can contribute to severe accidents:
- Driving under the influence: Whether it be drugs or alcohol, driving while using any of these substances can cause truckers to put other motorists’ lives at risk.
- Driving recklessly: Truck drivers don’t always need to be under the influence to drive recklessly. Maneuvers like speeding, traffic weaving and road rage can all be considered forms of reckless driving, all of which can put other drivers in danger.
- Improperly loading the truck: Whether the driver is loading the trailer or not, it is typically their responsibility to ensure the load fits properly. When a trailer is improperly loaded, the unequal distribution of the trailer weight can cause the truck to tip over.
- Driving while tired: According to the Sleep Foundation, driving tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. When truck drivers fall asleep, it can lead to poor reaction times and potentially cause them to swerve, flip over or crash into other motorists.
- Driving while distracted: Truck drivers are not immune to looking at their devices, eating, drinking or not paying attention to their general surroundings.
The manner in which truck drivers conduct themselves on the road can have profound implications for other motorists. If you suffer a serious injury due to the negligence of a truck driver, there are ways you can seek compensation for the pain and suffering their actions cause.
Seek help immediately if you get hurt
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to a truck crash, it’s important to pursue medical attention as soon as possible. The cost of medical treatment for a truck crash can be expensive and trucking companies and their insurers may try to deny your claim to avoid covering those costs. If that happens to you, know that you can find strong guidance and support from a seasoned personal injury attorney.