Common Driver Errors that Lead to Truck Accidents

4 minute read

Seattle is the biggest city in Washington State and the whole Pacific Northwest. People call it the Emerald City because there are so many green trees and plants everywhere, since the weather is rainy and mild. Seattle sits between the Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains, and it touches the Puget Sound.

Seattle is also known for having a lot of heavy traffic. Seattle’s traffic is one of the hardest things about living there. With more than 780,000 people in the city and over 4 million in the metro area, the roads get really crowded.

Truck accidents are one of the sad occurrences in this city, and when they occur, victims find themselves needing the services of a truck accident lawyer in Seattle.

How Drivers Themselves Cause Truck Accidents

These driver errors are some of the ways that drivers cause accidents on Seattle roads:

Speeding and Driving Recklessly

Speeding is when drivers go over the speed limit or too fast for conditions. Trucks are dangerous when speeding because they need 20% to 40% more space to stop compared to cars.

A fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If it hits something at high speed, the crash impact is much worse.

Reckless driving is also a problem. That means weaving between lanes, tailgating cars, or making unsafe lane changes. Trucks have big blind spots, and if drivers switch lanes too fast without checking, they can sideswipe other vehicles.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Trucks need constant checkups because they are driven so much and carry heavy loads. The FMCSA says companies must inspect, repair, and maintain their trucks. Drivers are also supposed to do pre-trip inspections to check brakes, tires, and lights.

But sometimes companies skip maintenance to save money. Or drivers do not notice a problem until it is too late.

Improper Loading

Trucks carry cargo, but it has to be loaded correctly. If it is too heavy or uneven, the truck can become unstable. Loads that shift during transit can cause rollovers or jackknifing.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules about cargo securement. But sometimes loaders or drivers do not follow them.

Substance Abuse

Truck drivers are tested for alcohol and drugs, but some still take risks. Alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription meds can affect judgment, reflexes, and coordination.

The Department of Transportation says even with marijuana being legal in some states, it is still banned for truckers.

Some drivers use stimulants to stay awake, but those can also cause crashes when they wear off.

Ignoring Traffic Laws

Sometimes drivers just ignore basic rules. Running red lights, failing to yield, or staying in the wrong lane all cause crashes. Trucks are supposed to stay out of the left lanes in some areas, but drivers break that rule.

In Seattle, there are many intersections, bike lanes, and crosswalks. If a truck driver ignores signals, they can hit cars, cyclists, or pedestrians. These mistakes often show negligence, which means the driver or company can be held responsible.

Driver Fatigue

Fatigue means being super tired. Truck drivers often work long hours and sometimes skip sleep to meet deadlines.

Even though there are federal rules called Hours of Service (HOS) that say how long a trucker can drive before resting, some still drive more. Companies sometimes pressure them because deliveries are urgent.

The National Transportation Safety Board says fatigue causes 30 to 40 percent of all big truck crashes. Being tired makes reaction times slow, like being drunk.