Truckers provide a great service to the economy. Trucking is responsible for shipping 80% of all U.S. goods. Truckers practically live on the road while shipping many of the essential products you find in the store, such as food, raw materials and clothing, while also stocking hospitals and businesses.
There are many benefits of the trucking industry, but there are also some dangers. Trucks and their drivers are often responsible for traffic accidents. Because of their size and weight, these mammoth-sized vehicles can cause traumatic or fatal injuries. In some cases, these vehicles have been known to create disasters after their contents have leaked.
It is important to understand why trucking accidents occur to better ensure your safety. The following are two of the most common reasons why trucking accidents happen:
Truckers may lack experience and training
After the economic chaos of the last couple of years, the trucking industry had witnessed a decrease in employment. As a result, many companies are hiring younger, under-skilled employees to fill in the gaps.
Many of these young adults are driving big rigs with very little training. Drivers who are inexperienced are more likely to cause accidents, as truck operation requires a lot of knowledge that these drivers just don’t have.
Truckers often suffer from exhaustion and health issues
By no means is trucking an easy job. In fact, many truckers struggle with their mental and physical health while on the road. These workers don’t often have the privilege to relax after a hard day’s work, let alone take necessary breaks for food, sleep and hygiene.
As a result of long work hours and a possible inability to care for their basic needs, many truckers struggle behind the wheel. They may develop physical conditions like heart disease or obesity and their mental health can also create problems. A trucker who has developed insomnia or depression may lose a sense of reality and lose control of their actions while driving, putting other drivers in danger.
Were you recently involved in an accident with a semi-truck? It’s important to understand what caused your crash, as this causation can impact your legal rights and your ability to obtain crash-related compensation.