The statistics regarding trucking accidents across the United States show some worryingly high figures. In 2013 alone, 3,964 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks, with 95,000 more injured. It is vitally important that truckers understand the main causes of these accidents, as they may be liable in court. Below are three of the main causes of trucking accidents and which party is likely to be deemed accountable for negligence:

Improper Tire Maintenance

While general equipment failures do occur, one of the most common causes of accidents is related to the tires.  Specifically, tires that have experienced significant wear without the trucking company (or driver) noticing the problem can be extremely dangerous.

The liability on tire failures due to improper maintenance depends on how the problem has occurred and the processes in place to detect such problems. The majority of commercial trucking companies will have regulations regarding pre-trip tire inspections that must be carried out by the driver prior to leaving the yard. If the driver has skipped these inspections due to negligence, they are usually deemed responsible for the problem and any damages will be attributable to them.

However, if the company does not have the proper procedures in place to educate drivers on tire maintenance, it is the company who is to blame. Finding the root cause of tire maintenance problems is fairly straightforward, and most county courts will be able to handle these situations quickly and efficiently.

Driver Distractions

Unfortunately, a large number of trucking accidents occur due to driver negligence when operating the vehicle. This negligence can occur due to a number of factors; however, distractions while driving continue to be the top offender.  

In recent years, the most common cause of human error has been down to cell phone usage while on the road. Operating a smart phone or another device while driving leads to unnecessary risks and can be potentially life-threatening in severe cases. Regardless of your reasoning behind using the phone, any court that hears you were operating a device while behind the wheel is very likely to find you guilty of negligence.

In addition to the damages incurred from the courts, you may also be charged by the state for dangerous driving. The severity of your punishment differs between areas as individual states have jurisdictional discretion over cell phone laws; however, you may face a large fine for the offense.

 Driver Fatigue

Falling asleep while on the road has been the underlying cause of many road accidents. As the truck driver is unable to steer the vehicle away from danger, many of these accidents have resulted in fatalities. As such, you should never operate a vehicle when fatigued and should ensure you take regular breaks to rest.

While many cases of driver fatigue result in the driver being charged, there are certain circumstances where the company may be at fault. Specifically, if the company has set you out on a particularly long journey without allowing time for regular breaks, then they may be liable for the accident. Jurisdiction varies between individual states as to which procedures the company must have in place, so it's important to get up to speed with your state's laws on the subject.

The legislation regarding trucking accidents can be a very gray area, particularly where the trucking company themselves may be accountable. As such, it is imperative that you have a highly qualified and experienced auto accident attorney in your corner who will be able to decipher your state's legislation and make a defense in court on your behalf. You can find an attorney at a firm like Schiller, Kessler & Gomez, PLC.