Obscure factors that may cause truck accidents

California residents may believe that bog rig drivers are often careless while behind the wheel. While some may not be the best drivers in the country, many accidents between large trucks and passenger vehicles are caused by the operator of the smaller vehicle. Distracted driving and other forms of human error are likely to blame. However, there are other factors that may come into play when large trucks and smaller vehicles collide.

The most likely time for an accident between a large truck and a passenger vehicle is between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is when drivers are theoretically at their most alert, and it goes against the misconception that most accidents involving large trucks take place at night. Larger trucks are most likely to be involved in accidents on Thursday or Friday because drivers are fatigued toward the end of the week.

Accidents are more likely to occur on major roads as opposed to interstates or freeways. Data shows that 53 percent of deaths occurred on such roads in 2015, and a good explanation is the fact that speed limits may be higher. Excessive speed was cited as the cause for abpout 20 percent of fatal accidents involving a large truck.

If an individual is injured in a truck accident that was caused by a truck driver who was fatigued, speeding, distracted by a cellphone or otherwise negligent, a personal injury attorney might find it advisable to file a lawsuit against the driver and in some cases the trucking company itself. Other causes of an accident could be negligent maintenance or a defective part.