Truck accidents are quite common in Bakersfield. This Californian city is known for its agriculture and energy production. This means there is a lot of truck movement to and from the city.
Truck drivers are working tirelessly to meet their goals. Some truck drivers engage in negligent behavior to meet their goals. These negligent behaviors lead to truck accidents. Truck driver negligence is one of the most common reasons for truck accidents. Victims of truck accidents should know that they can take action against the negligent driver who caused the accidents.
Hiring a local truck accident lawyer when filing a claim is important. A native lawyer will know all the laws in that particular state. For instance, if you have been hurt in a truck accident in Bakersfield, it would be best to hire a Bakersfield truck accident lawyer. They can get you the compensation you deserve.
Why Truck Accidents Happen?
A truck accident may happen due to various reasons. The following are some of the most common reasons for truck accidents:
- Trucking company negligence
- Truck driver negligence
- Improper cargo loading
- Defective parts
- Weather condition
How Truck Driver Negligence Leads to Accidents
Trucks are huge vehicles that are hard to control. Even a minor error can lead to catastrophic accidents. The following are some instances of driver negligence that lead to accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Sleep-deprived driving
- Driving under the influence
- Violation of hours-of-service rules
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a common reason for truck accidents. Trucks need the entire attention of the driver. As said, they are hard to control machines. They can’t be stopped immediately. The stopping distance of a truck is a lot greater than that of a car.
So even a minor distraction can lead to accidents. When brakes are applied suddenly, the truck may start to swerve, which may result in jackknife accidents.
Sleep-Deprived Driving
Truck drivers have to work long hours. These long hours will tire drivers. Driving while tired is worse than alcohol-impaired driving. All it takes is one micro nap to cause an accident.
When a driver is working while they are tired, they will have no control over the vehicle. In addition, their reaction time will be very poor. When sleepy, it is best to pull over and take a rest.
Driving Under the Influence
DUI has been a major issue in the US for a long time. Truck drivers take drugs to stay awake and take more trips. The drugs work, but they do more than keep the drivers awake. Some drugs make them groggy and hallucinate.
It is not safe to drive when impaired by a drug. In addition, these drugs will impair the vision of the driver. It will also have an impact on the driver’s reaction time.
Violation of Hours of Service
Hours of service are a set of rules that govern the working hours of truck drivers. These rules are formed to ensure that the drivers are well-rested. Some drivers may violate the hours of service rules to make more trips. This happens because drivers get paid for trips. So to make more money, they put everyone’s lives at risk.
In other cases, trucking companies may force drivers to violate the hours of service rule to make more profit. The driver should always refuse to violate the rules. Violating the hours of service rules is the also reason for sleep-deprived driving.
Final Thoughts
Truck accidents can be catastrophic due to the size of trucks. Victims of truck accidents will sustain many types of losses. If you are a victim of a truck accident, hire an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. They will file a claim and get you the compensation you deserve.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
