Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Common Truck Driver Mistakes
March 8, 2017
Truck accidents are known to be particularly devastating, from the massive property damage to the severe, often fatal injuries suffered by the victims involved. Sometimes, these accidents are caused by inclement weather and poor road conditions that are beyond the driver’s control. However, other times, it is the driver’s behavior that causes the wreck, endangering the lives of other passengers on the road. These accidents, and the damage they cause, can be prevented if the commercial truck driver makes responsible decisions and makes safety a priority.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
- Drowsy Driving: Driving while fatigued is never a good idea, but it is especially dangerous for a commercial truck driver. Fortunately, federal regulations have put a limit on the number of consecutive hours a truck driver is allowed to drive before taking a break. If a driver does not follow these rules, the consequences can be quite devastating, particularly if he or she falls asleep at the wheel.
- Failure to Properly Maintain the Truck: In some cases, it is the truck driver’s responsibility to ensure that the truck, and its equipment are well maintained and in good working order. This can also include making sure that the cargo is loaded appropriately. While the weather cannot be controlled, it is the driver’s responsibility to check weather reports before hitting the road in case the forecast calls for heavy wind, rain, ice, or snow.
- Distracted Driving: When a commercial truck driver spends hours behind the wheel, it can be tempting to talk on the phone, text, check a GPS, or any other potential distraction that can take the driver’s eyes off the road. It only takes a matter of seconds for an accident to happen. When your attention is not on the road, you are more likely to slam your brakes, swerve into another lane to avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front of you, or any other behavior that could cause a serious accident.
- Texting While Driving: It is against the law for commercial truck drivers to text while driving. Unfortunately, too many drivers do not obey this law. When a trucker is texting while operating an 18-wheeler, going 65 miles per hour or more, the possibility of causing a major trucking accident increases significantly.
- Hazardous Driving Habits: Driving a truck day after day for long stretches of time can be monotonous. This, combined with general fatigue and other issues that many truck drivers face, can cause negative driving behavior. Some common examples include speeding, a failure to use appropriate signals, tailgating, not checking blind spots, and road rage.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Seek Compensation for Victims of Truck Accidents
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident caused by a commercial truck driver, contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton at your earliest convenience. Our experienced legal team will work tirelessly to identify the person who is responsible for your injuries and we will not stop fighting for you until we have secured to maximum financial compensation that you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident lawyers, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
