There are various reasons why 18-wheeler truck accidents occur, however, they are most commonly caused when truck safety regulations are not followed. In the trucking industry, those that operate commercial vehicles are legally required to comply with certain safety regulations to keep themselves and others safe on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for regulating and enforcing truck safety regulations. The FMSCA enforces truck safety regulations through its Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) program. Essentially, the CSA program was implemented to prevent truck accidents that are caused by truck driver error and negligence. When a commercial vehicle driver violates the CSA program’s truck safety regulations, they are significantly increasing the likelihood of a tragic collision. To prevent serious accidents and injuries, commercial vehicle drivers must comply with truck safety regulations. Keep following along to learn more about 18-wheeler accidents and how a seasoned Memphis Auto Accident Lawyer can help you navigate your legal options.
What safety violations most commonly cause 18-wheeler accidents in Tennessee?
As mentioned above the FMCSA designed the CSA program to enforce truck safety regulations. The goal is to reduce the number of truck accidents that occur as a result of driver error and negligence. 18-Wheeler trucks pose a serious threat on the road because of their enormous size. Unfortunately, victims of truck accidents rarely walk away uninjured. Truck accidents are commonly caused when commercial vehicle drivers violate CSA safety regulations as well as disobey Tennessee’s traffic laws. The most common truck safety violations include but are not limited to the following:
- Speeding
- Improper turns
- Improper lane changes
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Railroad grade crossing violations
- Failure to use a seatbelt
- Failure to obey a traffic control device
- Missing or defective wheel flaps
- Failure to conduct a pre-trip inspection
- Failure to secure the vehicle’s cargo
Commercial vehicle drivers must comply with CSA truck safety regulations to prevent serious accidents and injuries.
Why are truck accidents so dangerous?
Truck accidents are particularly dangerous because of their massive size and weight. According to research, a fully loaded rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. This means there is a huge discrepancy between the size and weight of trucks and other vehicles on the road. When a large rig collides with another vehicle, the impact is often devastating. Another reason why truck accidents are particularly dangerous is that they lack visibility as they have several blind spots. It can be difficult for commercial vehicle drivers to see smaller vehicles around them, which could cause them to crash into another vehicle. In addition, commercial vehicle drivers are more susceptible to driver fatigue as they are required to drive for many consecutive hours without rest. Ultimately, truck accidents are extremely dangerous and pose a serious threat to those on the road.
Unfortunately, many 18-wheeler accident victims suffer catastrophic and life-altering injuries. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our compassionate and determined team members. Our firm is committed to helping our clients get the justice they deserve.
