Common Causes of Truck Accidents in North Carolina (2025)

The truck accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Wade E. Byrd P.A. know how important it is to understand the common causes of truck accidents in North Carolina, as education is key in the prevention of accidents.

The supply chain shortages that are resulting in empty store shelves in North Carolina highlight the important role semi-truck drivers play in interstate commerce. Semi-truck drivers often spend long hours on the road to earn a sustainable income. Long hours combined with overnight driving can cause anyone to suffer fatigue, and truckers are no exception. Truck driver fatigue is a serious issue that can lead to trucking accidents that cause serious injuries or even fatalities.

What role does the time of day play in a truck accident?

While some truck accidents take place during rush hour, simply due to an increase in traffic, there are certain times of day when a trucker is naturally drowsy and prone to causing a collision. This is due to our natural circadian rhythm. As humans, we are naturally drowsy from midnight until 6:00 a.m. and again from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. During these natural lulls we have trouble paying attention to the road and may even doze off. This can easily lead to a trucking accident caused by a drowsy truck driver.

Read the labels on your medications

If we have a cold, a headache, an infection or chronic pain we may reach for a variety of over-the-counter or prescription medications. It is important, however, to read the labels on any medications you take before driving. This is because many over-the-counter and prescription medications list drowsiness as a side effect. If a trucker takes a medication that causes drowsiness and then gets behind the wheel it could easily lead to a truck accident. Sometimes it is better to suffer the virus or pain and start driving once you feel well again, rather than driving while medicated.

Alertness tricks are usually ineffective

Many truckers think they have the key to staying alert while spending long hours on the road. Some may drink a cup of strong coffee or an energy drink, thinking the caffeine will keep them awake. Others may roll down the window for fresh air, play loud music or smoke a cigarette. However, these alertness tricks do not stave off drowsiness in the long run and could give truckers a false sense of security that leads to serious crashes.

Main Causes of Truck Accidents

The most common causes of truck accidents are often a combination of many factors like driver behavior, vehicle issues, environmental considerations, and other road users’ actions. Below is a list of some of the most common causes of truck accidents that can lead to serious damage or injury:

• Driver drowsiness. Truck drivers who are especially drowsy from working long hours and even exceeding their driving limits, and suffering insufficient rest can suffer from fatigue. This fatigue can impair their ability as a driver to stay alert and reduce their reaction time and abilities, which can lead to dangerous driving behaviors such as falling asleep at the wheel.
• Distracted driving. Distractions that keep a driver from focusing on their main task of safely operating the truck may cause them to become less aware of their surroundings and increase their likelihood of collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects on the road. Even doing something as “simple” as adjusting the radio can be enough of a distraction to cause an accident.
• Speeding. Truck drivers who exceed the posted speed limits for trucks or are simply driving too fast for the road and weather conditions can cause accidents. Trucks need a much longer stopping range to make up for their large vehicle and heavy weight, and speeding can reduce reaction times, which makes it impossible to stop quickly if they need to do so.
• Improper loading. If a truck is not loaded well, properly secured, or overloaded, it can impact the truck’s balance and make it harder for the driver to control accurately. This can lead to accidents like rollovers, loss of control, and spilled loads.
• Vehicle maintenance issues. Trucks need regular inspection and maintenance to ensure safe operation. If trucks are not properly maintained, they may face mechanical failures like brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or engine problems, all leading to accidents. Brake failure is one of the most common and dangerous maintenance-related issues, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
• Weather conditions. Poor weather, like heavy rain, snow, ice, fog, or even high winds, can reduce visibility and road traction, which can make it challenging for truck drivers to maintain control over their vehicles. Due to their size and weight, trucks are more prone to skidding or tipping in inclement weather, and poor weather can increase stopping distances, which makes navigating the roads more challenging for drivers.
• Unqualified or inexperienced drivers. Truck drivers who do not have the proper training or experience can struggle to operate such a large vehicle, especially when they are faced with challenging driving conditions like poor weather or tight delivery deadlines. An inexperienced driver may be more likely to make poor decisions, misjudge stopping distances, or fail to react correctly in emergency situations.
• Unfamiliarity with routes. Drivers who are not familiar with the roads and routes they are driving, particularly in construction zones or urban areas, can make mistakes, take wrong turns, or drive inappropriately for the given road conditions, leading to accidents.
• Road hazards. Debris, uneven road surfaces, potholes, or construction zones can create unexpected dangers for truck drivers to navigate. In certain cases, a driver may have to swerve or quickly stop to avoid the hazards. Challenging road conditions can lead to accidents if the driver is unable to safely navigate them.

Truck accidents are often the result of many of the above factors in combination with each other, many of which are preventable with proper maintenance, training, and adherence to safety regulations.

FAQs

Q: What Is a Common Cause of Truck Accidents?

A: A common cause of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Truck drivers are known for working long hours and not getting enough rest, which can impair their judgment, reaction time, and overall ability to focus on the road, which can cause serious accidents. Truck drivers are required to limit driving hours, but some may go over their limit or not get sleep when they need to cause accidents.

Q: How Should You Respond to a Truck Accident?

A: You should respond to a truck accident by first getting emergency support from medical professionals and local law enforcement. If you are in an unsafe area and are able to, try to move to safety to wait for help. If you suffered damages or injuries, it is essential to get forms of evidence to prove to your insurance provider that you need compensation for your losses, so be sure to keep any pieces of evidence proving your situation.

Q: What Are Common Collision Types Involving Heavy Trucks?

A: Common collision types involving heavy trucks include rear-end collisions, side-impact or T-bone collisions, jackknife accidents, rollovers, under-ride collisions, tire blowout collisions, and cargo spillage that causes accidents. Accidents with heavy trucks can result in especially devastating injuries and damages, so it is essential to respond immediately by contacting medical support after an accident to address injuries.

Q: Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Truck Accident?

A: Yes, a lawyer can help you greatly after a truck accident as they can walk you through the legal process, help you understand your rights and responsibilities, and represent you in negotiations and litigation. Truck accident claims can be complicated, especially if you are facing a large trucking company, but a truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the process efficiently and smoothly.

Q: What Are Hours of Service (HOS) in Trucking Company Policies?

A: Hours of service regulations are rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the United States that monitor the number of hours a drunk driver is on the road to help monitor rest and fatigue, as driver fatigue is a leading cause of trucking accidents. These regulations aim to limit the number of hours that a truck driver can work within certain periods of time and require rest breaks to maintain road safety.

Learn more about your options if you are struck by a semi-truck

Accidents between a standard passenger vehicle and a semi-truck are often devastating due to the sheer size disparity between a semi-truck and an automobile. If you are injured in a truck accident caused by a drowsy trucker, you will want to make sure you understand all your options for compensation.