Understanding what causes semi-truck accidents can help you stay safer on Wisconsin roads and also help determine liability if you’re ever involved in a crash. Semi-truck accidents are often more complex than regular car accidents because they involve federal regulations, commercial drivers, and multiple potential defendants. If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident in Wisconsin, knowing the common causes can be crucial for building a strong legal case.
Driver-Related Causes
The truck driver is often a key factor in semi-truck accidents. Some of the most common driver-related causes include:
Driver Fatigue: Federal Hours of Service regulations limit how long truck drivers can be on the road, but violations are unfortunately common. Tired drivers have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and may even fall asleep at the wheel. Driver fatigue is a factor in approximately 13% of all truck accidents.
Distracted Driving: Truck drivers who text, eat, use GPS devices, or engage in other distracting activities while driving pose a serious danger. The size and weight of semi-trucks mean that even a momentary lapse in attention can have catastrophic consequences.
Speeding: Truck drivers under pressure to meet delivery deadlines may drive faster than safe conditions allow. Semi-trucks require much longer stopping distances than passenger cars, making speeding particularly dangerous.
Impaired Driving: While less common than in passenger vehicle accidents, some truck drivers operate under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications that impair their ability to drive safely.
Inadequate Training: Some trucking companies fail to properly train their drivers, particularly on defensive driving techniques and how to handle emergency situations.
Vehicle and Equipment Failures
Mechanical problems with semi-trucks can cause serious accidents:
Brake Failures: Semi-trucks rely on complex air brake systems that require regular maintenance. Brake failures can make it impossible for drivers to stop in time to avoid collisions.
Tire Blowouts: Truck tires are under enormous stress and can fail catastrophically, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
Steering Problems: Mechanical issues with steering systems can make it impossible for drivers to control their trucks.
Trailer Problems: Issues with trailer hitches, cargo securement, or trailer brakes can cause accidents.
Cargo-Related Issues
How cargo is loaded and secured can significantly impact truck safety:
Overloaded Trucks: Trucks that exceed federal weight limits are harder to control and require longer stopping distances.
Improperly Secured Cargo: Cargo that shifts during transport can cause the truck to become unstable or lose its load on the highway.
Unbalanced Loading: Cargo that isn’t properly distributed can make trucks prone to rollovers.
Company Negligence
Trucking companies themselves may be liable for accidents caused by:
Inadequate Maintenance: Companies that fail to properly maintain their vehicles put everyone on the road at risk.
Pressure to Violate Regulations: Some companies pressure drivers to exceed hours of service limits or skip required rest periods.
Hiring Unqualified Drivers: Companies that fail to properly screen drivers or hire drivers with poor safety records increase accident risk.
Inadequate Supervision: Companies that don’t monitor their drivers’ compliance with safety regulations may be liable for resulting accidents.
Road and Weather Conditions
External factors can also contribute to truck accidents:
Poor Weather: Rain, snow, ice, and fog can make driving conditions dangerous, especially for large trucks.
Construction Zones: Narrow lanes and changing traffic patterns in construction zones can be particularly challenging for truck drivers.
Poor Road Maintenance: Potholes, inadequate signage, and other road defects can contribute to accidents.
Why Cause Matters for Your Case
Determining the cause of your truck accident is crucial for several reasons:
Identifying Liable Parties: Different causes point to different potentially liable parties. Driver error may make the driver and trucking company liable, while mechanical failures might implicate maintenance companies or manufacturers.
Proving Negligence: Understanding the cause helps establish how the responsible party failed to meet their duty of care.
Maximizing Compensation: Cases involving multiple liable parties or clear regulatory violations often result in higher compensation.
The Importance of Professional Investigation
Determining the true cause of a truck accident requires thorough investigation by experienced professionals. At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, we work with accident reconstruction experts, mechanical engineers, and other specialists to uncover all factors that contributed to your accident.
If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident in Wisconsin, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll investigate the cause of your accident and fight to hold all responsible parties accountable.