12 Common Factors of Trucking Accidents in Santa Rosa

Trucking accidents are more common than you might think. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are more than 1 million commercial vehicle accidents each year, resulting in approximately 28,000 fatalities and 100 million injuries.

These numbers are staggering when you consider that only about 2% of these accidents were due to driver error or mechanical issues on the trucks themselves; most were caused by factors outside of drivers’ control such as weather conditions or other drivers who crossed their paths at an unsafe speed while driving under the influence or otherwise distracted by something else (like texting).

1. Driver fatigue

Driver fatigue is a major cause of truck accidents. It can be caused by driving too long without rest, driving too fast and late at night, or early in the morning.

When truck drivers are fatigued, they are more likely to be involved in an accident. Truck drivers work long hours and often do not get enough sleep or rest before driving. This can cause them to be less attentive while driving and therefore more likely to have an accident while they’re on the road.

Truckers should take breaks throughout their shift so that they don’t overwork themselves physically or mentally, which can lead to dangerous behavior behind the wheel (such as making bad decisions).

2. Incorrectly loaded cargo

If a trucking company negligently loads your cargo, it may cause an accident. For example, if you’re hauling hazardous materials and the driver fails to properly secure the load or doesn’t have the necessary experience to correctly handle them. In addition, cargo shifting is another common mistake made by truckers when loading their trucks.

An inexperienced driver can also cause an accident if he or she makes an error while loading or unloading cargo from their vehicle because they don’t know how much weight each item contains and what kind of impact this will have on their vehicle’s stability during travel.

The severity of these errors varies depending on how much damage has been caused by shifting cargo but there are some types that should not be put into any type of safe transportation vehicle (e-commerce trucks) due to their weight capacity limitations which could cause serious injuries if not handled correctly at all times!

3. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a serious problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that distracted driving is responsible for about 6 percent of all crashes in the US, and it’s estimated that drivers who text and drive are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident than those who do not.

There are three factors that influence distracted driving, which are visual distractions, manual distractions, and cognitive distractions. It can be difficult to avoid distractions while driving, but you should practice good situational awareness.

Always avoid multitasking while driving. You should only use one device at a time, such as your phone or GPS. If you have to answer a call or respond to a text message, pull over before doing so.

4. Truck Size

The size of the truck is another factor that can contribute to truck accidents. Larger trucks are more likely to be involved in accidents than smaller ones, but there are many other factors that influence this relationship:

Driver training is also important for safe driving practices when it comes down to making sure drivers know how much weight their vehicle carries so they can determine if they need help from other vehicles on the road during travel time (i.e., passing).

5. Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, and it can have serious consequences for you as well as other drivers on the road.

If the driver is convicted of driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08% or higher (the legal limit in California), your driver’s license could be suspended for between 1 year and 5 years depending on how many previous offenses you’ve had. You could also be fined up to $1,000 per violation ($2,000 if two or more violations occur within 6 months).

If someone else causes an accident while under the influence of drugs—whether they’re prescription medication such as Vicodin® or Xanax® or recreational drugs like marijuana—they’ll face similar penalties as well: suspension of their driving privileges indefinitely; fines between $50-$500 plus fees; up to 60 days imprisonment at county jail if convicted; possible jail time ranging from 0 days up to 1 year total depending on severity; forfeiture upon conviction (this means that any money paid out in settlements will go towards covering any applicable fines).

6. Mechanical Issues

Mechanical issues can be caused by a number of things, including:

• Tire blowouts
• Brakes that fail
• Steering problems
• Engine failure

In addition to these mechanical issues, there are other common causes of trucking accidents. * Fuel leaks from the tank/fuel system (including fuel pumps) and lines; sudden loss of engine power due to a broken transmission also fall under mechanical or motorized issues.

7. Speeding

Speeding is one of the most common causes of trucking accidents in California. In fact, speeding is also a common cause of traffic fatalities and can be cited as a factor in more than half of all fatal crashes.

Speeding laws vary by jurisdiction and may include fines for speeding or reckless driving; however, there are some general guidelines that apply across all states:

• Speed limits are lower during construction zones and school zones (the hours between 7 AM to 7 PM) because these areas are considered “no pass zones.” If you’re driving your truck through these areas at high speeds, you’ll probably be pulled over by law enforcement officers who will ticket you or even arrest you if they feel like it!

Undoubtedly, speeding also increases your risk of being involved in an accident because it makes it more difficult for you to react quickly enough when something goes wrong. When in an accident, trucking accident attorneys can help you recover compensation for the injuries and losses you have suffered.

8. Reckless Driving

In California, reckless driving is a crime. It’s a misdemeanor, which means that you could be fined up to $1,000 and have your driver’s license suspended for up to 6 months.

Reckless driving is also a moving violation. If you’ve been cited for this offense in California before, then it will show up on your driving record and affect how much insurance companies will charge for coverage when you renew your policy in the future (and make sure nobody else knows about it!).

Finally, reckless driving can sometimes lead to serious consequences such as jail time—even if there weren’t any injuries involved! Drivers who cause accidents while “recklessly” operating their vehicles face penalties ranging from community service hours (which are required by law) all the way up into felony charges depending on what happened during those events; these include:

9. Unfamiliar with Roadway

Trucks are often unfamiliar with roadways. They’re driven by people who have never been on a road, so they don’t know where the limits are and how to obey them. This can be especially dangerous when there’s heavy snow or rain in the area, since trucks may not be able to see obstacles such as rocks or curbs that could cause an accident if they hit them at high speed.

Trucks also don’t know what kinds of traffic signs exist or how they should act around other vehicles on the road—they’re not driving themselves!

10. Failure to Maintain a Safe Following Distance

According to the California Highway Patrol, a truck driver must maintain a safe following distance behind another vehicle. This means that he must be able to stop within the distance he can see and react to any hazards that may appear in his path.

Buses and other large vehicles can also be dangerous because they’re not as maneuverable as smaller vehicles. For example, if a bus driver wants to turn left at an intersection, he or she may have to wait for other cars first before making the turn. This can cause traffic jams and even accidents when impatient drivers try to pass through the intersection on their own instead of waiting for the bus to make its way around.

11. Weather Issues

Weather may be a factor in trucking accidents, but it is not the only one. Weather can cause fog, rain, snow or ice to make roads slippery and visibility problems. Drivers may become distracted during inclement weather conditions and lose control of their vehicle resulting in an accident. The stability of a truck itself can also be affected by weather conditions such as windy roads or hills that must be traveled over.

If you are the one driving behind a truck and begin to notice that it’s following too closely, then you should slow down. This will give the truck driver time to react to any hazards he may encounter on the road in front of him.

12. Improper Lane Changes

A truck driver who negligently or intentionally changes lanes without signaling can cause a serious accident.

• Failure to Signal
• Failure to Check Blind Spots
• Failure to Check Mirrors
• Failure to Check the Road Ahead of You (and Behind You)
• Failure To Check Your Speedometer

Drivers must always be aware of the danger that exists when making a lane change and should always follow the rules of the road. If you see an opening in traffic, then it is imperative that you move into that lane before making any sudden movements.

If there are no openings for your vehicle in front of you, then be sure to indicate your intention with lights or hand gestures so as not to surprise another driver on their own side of the highway.

Get your truck accident injury case reviewed today!

We understand how difficult it is to be involved and injured in a truck accident. That’s why we’re here to help you out! If you have been injured in a truck accident in Santa Rosa and believe your case is worth pursuing, talk to us today.

At Cartwright Law Firm Inc, we will assess your unique situation and determine any legal options available for your case.