Truck Accident Attorney in Honolulu

Aggressive driving includes speeding, tailgating (following too closely), cutting other vehicles off, and unsafe lane changes. Any of these actions may result in loss of control of the truck and a crash. Too often, truckers put deadlines ahead of safety and drive aggressively, disregarding reduced speed limits for trucks.

Distracted driving, particularly texting while driving and other use of cell phones. Research commissioned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows the odds of being involved in a crash, near-crash, or unintentional lane deviation are 23 times greater for truck drivers who text while driving than for those who do not. The FMCSA has published rules that restrict texting and the use of handheld mobile phones by truck drivers while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).

Fatigued or drowsy driving. Truck drivers’ long work hours cause sleep deprivation, disruption of normal sleep/rest cycles, and fatigue, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says. Institute research has found that truck drivers behind the wheel for more than eight hours are twice as likely to crash. Truckers also work under federal Hours of Service regulations that limit how long they may drive without mandated rest periods. Still, some companies pressure their drivers to ignore these regulations to meet unreasonable delivery deadlines.

Impaired driving involves both drunk driving and drugged driving. Because truckers are subject to testing and may lose their commercial license, drunk driving accidents among truck drivers are relatively rare compared to drunk driving among passenger vehicle drivers.

Improper maintenance. The IIHS says tractor-trailers with defective equipment were twice as likely to be involved in crashes as trucks without defects. Brake defects were the most common problem, followed by faulty steering equipment. One study found that almost 55 percent of trucks in post-crash inspections had at least one mechanical violation, and almost 30 percent had at least one condition serious enough to have taken the vehicle immediately out of service.

Another problem with truck crashes is the danger of underride, which is caused by the height of commercial trucks. In an underride crash, a passenger vehicle slides partially or wholly under a truck or trailer, increasing the likelihood of death or serious injury to the shorter vehicle’s occupants.

Morgan & Morgan is the nation’s largest personal injury law firm, and we have a proven track record of success. We have recovered more than $20 billion in damages for our clients and can fight to ensure you receive full and fair compensation. Contact Morgan & Morgan to schedule a free consultation with one of our specialists.