Big rigs transport goods across Alabama highways every day, sharing the road with various motorists. When crashes involving these massive vehicles occur, the size and weight difference often leads to catastrophic outcomes for everyone involved. Understanding what causes these deadly collisions can help you avoid potentially dangerous situations.
Exhausted drivers
Tired truckers struggle with slower reaction times, impaired judgment and difficulty maintaining lane position or fall asleep at the wheel entirely. A 2024 study from the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drowsy motorists played a role in nearly 18% of fatal crashes between 2017 and 2021, representing approximately 30,000 deaths during that period.
To combat this issue, Hours-of-service regulations limit truckers to a maximum of 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Despite these protections, however, violations can still occur when truckers face pressure to meet delivery deadlines or maximize their earnings.
Distracted driving
During short or long hauls, truckers can easily get distracted by:
- Using cell phones or mobile devices while driving
- Adjusting GPS systems or electronic logging devices
- Eating or drinking behind the wheel
- Reaching for items inside the cab
- Reading dispatch notes or paperwork
Big trucks cannot stop or maneuver easily compared to smaller vehicles. When a distracted trucker finally looks back at the road and sees danger, those critical lost seconds often mean the difference between avoiding a collision and causing a fatal crash.
Poor maintenance
Due to the heavy wear and tear a large truck experiences, mistakes during maintenance can lead to the following:
- Brake system failures or deterioration
- Tire blowouts from worn treads or improper inflation
- Steering system malfunctions
- Defective lighting that reduces visibility
- Trailer connection problems
- Worn suspension components
Federal regulations require trucking companies to keep vehicles in a safe condition. However, when companies cut corners on maintenance to save money or time, they put their drivers and everyone else on the road in danger.
Determining who becomes responsible
Alabama uses an at-fault system, so the responsible party who causes the accident must pay for the resulting damages. The state also follows pure contributory negligence, which bars you from recovering compensation if you are even 1% at fault if it is proven.
However, defence may not apply in certain situations. These include when the other driver acted with reckless or wanton disregard for safety or had the last clear chance to avoid the crash.
Due to the severe nature of most trucking accidents, liability can go beyond the driver to include the employer, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors and even equipment manufacturers. This is why trucking companies typically carry insurance policies worth $750,000 to several million dollars.
Because these cases are often complex and involve high insurance coverage, consulting an attorney helps you examine important evidence such as driver qualifications and logging data. They can spot violations or negligence that may not be obvious at first and build a strong foundation if you decide to file a private lawsuit.