Truck Driver Responsibilities

The trucking industry in general plays a very important role in all of our daily lives. From the groceries we buy to the products we purchase at the local mall, they were all most likely shipped to these facilities by large commercial trucks. The chances of you driving beside a commercial truck on a daily basis are very high. As long as passenger cars and semi-trucks share the road, there are bound to be some type of accidents that will occur. But where does the responsibility fall when it comes to auto accidents that involve a passenger car and a commercial truck?

The majority of auto accidents on the road that involve a semi-truck are a result from negligence on the truck driver's part. This, coupled with recklessness, is a deadly combination for those driving passenger cars. Drivers, regardless of what type of vehicle they are driving, make mistakes on the road every day. However those driving large commercial trucks can't afford to make even the simplest mistakes. A commercial truck can weight in the neighborhood of 80,000 pounds, while a common passenger car can weigh approximately 3,000 pounds. This weight discrepancy can mean the difference in life and death. When a truck driver makes a mistake while driving a semi-truck, the results can be catastrophic. Below are a number of reasons semi-truck drivers make mistakes while driving.

Fatigue

Truck drivers work long hours and are expected to arrive at their destination on-time. There are guidelines in place for truck drivers indicating how many hours they are allowed to drive and how many hours they are supposed to sleep during the day, but not all follow these rules. When these rules are broken, fatigue can set in which can result in deadly auto crashes.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

All drivers can become impaired due to the drugs and alcohol put into their bodies. When this occurs, a driver's judgment is impaired often leaving them making decisions that can become fatal. Drunk driving coupled with heavy commercial trucks results in an alarming number of fatalities each year.

Lack of Experience

Although truck drivers are required to attend "Driving School" in order to obtain the necessary amount of training from qualified teachers, it doesn't necessarily mean they will always avoid costly mistakes. Nothing can ever take the place of experience, especially when operating heavy equipment like a semi-truck. Inexperienced drivers, no matter how much training they have under their belts, can make deadly mistakes on the roadway.

Truck drivers have an enormous responsibility not only to themselves and their family, but to everyone else they share the road with. If you have been involved in an auto accident that involves a semi-truck, talk to a reputable injury lawyer about protecting your rights.