Commercial Trucking Accidents – Causes of Fatalities in Denver

More than 330,000 commercial trucking accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), occur every year in the U.S. and these crashes result in thousands of death and injuries on a yearly basis.

Crashes involving commercial trucks like tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, box trucks, delivery vans or 18-wheelers, and small passenger vehicles usually see occupants of the latter vehicles sustain the worst kind of injuries in the accidents.

This is where a Denver truck accident attorney comes in to help victims navigate the legalities of filing a claim for the injuries or damages incurred.

Top 4 Causes of Commercial Accidents in Denver, Colorado

There are several causes of commercial trucking accidents, just like in the case of car crashes. Although truck drivers are usually at fault and the major cause of trucking fatalities, there are other factors that can lead to serious road crashes.

1. DUI – is a major cause of road accidents. Drivers use stimulants to keep awake for prolonged periods on the road. Any mishap or error on the part of a truck driver under influence can easily cause a crash due to the heavy nature of commercial vehicles.
2. Distraction – emailing, texting, chatting on social networks, surfing the internet, using the GPS device, drinking, eating, reading books, using a road map, changing music, or even watching a DVD while driving can cause distraction. The moment of distraction is enough to cause an accident.
3. Drowsiness – it is common for truck drivers to overstretch their load delivery goals or mileage to improve their pay scales. As a result, many truck drivers skip critical breaks to rest, forge logbooks and fail to get enough sleep for prolonged periods. Fatigue is as good as drunk driving and can cause serious fatalities.
4. Poor Maintenance of Vehicles – trucks, just like cars, require regular maintenance for optimal performance. Oil changes and maintenance services completed on brakes and transmission systems are meant to keep vehicles in good working condition.

Failure to carry out such routine maintenance means vehicles can fail on the road. This can lead to serious fatal crashes.

Other Causes – defective engine components, poor road designs, faulty tires, poor weather conditions and other motorists failing to follow driving best practices can also cause fatalities.

Denver Truck Accident Attorney

All victims of car or commercial trucking accidents have legal rights and insurance companies do not always act in your best interest. A Denver truck accident attorney can help protect the rights of accident victims, helping file claims for injuries and damages caused. Contact the Bendinelli Law Firm for a complimentary consultation to discuss your case.