The FMCSA Identifies Major Factors in Truck Accidents

Within the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is charged with reducing the number and severity of bus and truck accidents through prudent oversight. Its Office of Information Management analyzes truck crash data to identify the steps it might take to reduce the risk to lives and property that commercial truck accidents pose. The

Driver fatigue and hours of service — FMCSA regulations limit hours of service to prevent fatigued drivers from getting behind the wheel. However, trucking companies and drivers routinely violate these rules.
Driver performance — Human error is a major contributing factor. Drivers must have the wherewithal to avoid unsafe maneuvers, but they must also be able to recognize danger before it’s too late.
Driver working conditions— The FMCSA suggests that a driver’s wages, method of pay (whether by mile, hour or job), schedule, and employer type could influence the driver’s behavior, making accidents more or less likely.
Faulty vehicle maintenance — Although the FMCSA spends more than $100 million each year on truck and bus inspections, it is not clear that these inspections do much good. For example, a Michigan State Police study found that 66 percent of crash-involved large trucks had violated a pre-crash safety inspection.
Passenger vehicles’ interference — A great number of motorists do not know how to share the highway safely with large trucks.
Roadway design — The FMCSA recognizes that poor design – visibility, grading, drainage and signage – increases the probability of a truck accident. But assets such as exit ramps, truck-free lanes, and posted truck speed limits may improve traffic safety.
Vehicle design and load — Long trucks have very long blind spots. Shifting loads make the truck unstable. Drivers and trucking companies must recognize the limitations of their carriers.

Commercial truck accidents can be highly destructive, but as these factors indicate, the cause of the accident is not always clear. Anyone injured in a commercial truck accident should seek the help of an experienced attorney who can investigate every aspect of the crash and hold the appropriate parties accountable. To learn about your rights after a truck accident, call Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, Attorneys At Law at 808.524.1433 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.