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Five common causes of truck crashes in North Carolina

On Behalf of | Nov 25, 2019 | Trucking Accidents |

Truck accidents are unfortunately common in North Carolina and the rest of the country, and they almost always end badly for those who were in a passenger vehicle. Big rigs, after all, weigh up to 80,000 pounds while the average car weighs 4,000 pounds. Drivers should be aware of the most common factors in truck crashes so that they can be more responsible on the road.

First, there are crashes that arise because of driver error: speeding, driving drowsy, intoxicated or drugged driving, etc. Studies show, however, that 81% of truck crashes that are due to driver error are actually the fault of passenger vehicle drivers. Second, crashes can occur because truckers do not drive safely over rainy, icy or snowy roads. Such weather will increase the stopping distance for heavy trucks.

A third factor is poor truck maintenance as truckers may ignore the requirement to inspect their rig before every shift. A fourth factor is equipment failure, sometimes due to defective parts. In such cases, the trucking company or the truck part manufacturer may be held liable for the crash.

Improper cargo loading, such as overloading or unprofessional cargo securing, is responsible for many crashes, too. Not following the industry-specific loading rules can lead to cargo falling out of the truck and onto the road.

Victims of trucking accidents can file a personal injury claim in this state. However, they must not have contributed even 1% to the crash, or they will become ineligible. To see if their case stands up to this strict rule, victims may schedule a legal consultation. If the case stands up, the lawyer may go on and build it up with evidence brought in by third-party investigators. The lawyer might then negotiate for a settlement with the trucking company.