Top Ten Causes of Truck Accidents in Tennessee

These top ten causes of truck accidents are based on data collected by Tennessee’s Department of Safety & Homeland Security over the past year. But, just because an accident is caused, in part, by a truck driver, that doesn’t necessarily make them fully responsible for paying injured drivers.

This is why you should secure legal representation by The Law Office of David E. Gordon following a truck crash. David E. Gordon is a personal injury lawyer experienced in dealing with Tennessee’s rules of the road, who helps injured clients recover the compensation they’re due.

(1) Lane Departure

Whether a truck driver miscalculates the space they have to switch lanes or another driver’s conduct causes a crash, lane changes always come with risk.

Most large companies have equipped their trucking fleets with Lane Departure Warning System technology. But, paradoxically, this tool may increase the likelihood of accidents if corporations don’t account for driver complacency.

(2) Following Improperly

It is a criminal offense for any motor vehicle to follow another “more closely than is reasonable and prudent.” This rule deters tailgating, which impedes drivers’ ability to respond if the vehicle they’re behind suddenly slows or stops.

Large truck drivers must be especially cautious, as their trucks’ weight and size reduce the rate at which they can stop. State law recognizes as much, mandating a 300-foot distance between trucks with specific capacities. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s best practices offer further guidance.

(3) Improper Lane Change

If proper lane departures predominantly cause truck collisions, it’s no wonder improper ones make the list, too.

Proper lane usage is defined in Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-123; any unlawful–lane changes include deviations from that provision. Violations of other relevant laws (e.g., failing to use turn signals when switching lanes) are also improper.

(4) Failure to Yield

A truck driver’s failure to yield to vehicles with right-of-way is another common cause of accidents. Failure to yield amounts to a misdemeanor if a driver’s conduct “results in” an auto-wreck where anyone suffers “serious bodily injury…or death[.]”

(5) Improper Backing

Backing can be challenging for a novice trucker, which is why sufficient training is crucial to curtailing truck collisions. Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-163 prohibits drivers from backing up unless they can do so “with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic.”

(6) Improper Turns

A truck’s turn radius is proportional to its size and weight. Accidents occur when drivers do not or cannot give large trucks enough room to turn.

State and federal standards delineating maximum truck dimensions and weight (along with other posted restrictions) are, therefore, particularly effective in dictating how and where large trucks can turn without endangering others.

(7) Swerving

Large trucks present a serious hazard when swerving. Again, size and weight make maneuvering more difficult. So, collisions are more likely to happen when truck drivers deviate from their lane, regardless of whether their swerving is to avoid roadkill or because they’re intoxicated.

(8) Careless and Erratic Driving

Truckers’ long hours and repetitive trips can induce careless and erratic driving. Fatigue, mental health disorders, phone usage, and drug use can divert a truck driver’s attention. Distractions like these impair decision-making and can manifest in violations of law, which often precipitate truck accidents.

(9) Speeding

Speeding is a classic precursor to auto-wrecks. The higher the speed, the less reaction time a truck driver has to avert a crash.

Tennessee statutorily establishes speed limits, which can vary depending on the type of road and municipal jurisdiction.

(10) Ignoring Controls

The final top cause of truck accidents is a driver’s disregard of their truck’s controls. A driver may neglect their controls (e.g., steering wheel, brakes, gas pedal) for many reasons. Phone use and complacency are increasingly cited as culprits behind truck drivers’ inattention to controls.

A Skilled Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim for Truck-Accident Injuries

The Law Office of David E. Gordon can assist you in recovering from injuries caused by a truck accident in Tennessee. As a board-certified personal injury attorney, David brings his experience to the table to support you in getting a settlement, or verdict, for damages caused by a truck driver’s misconduct. Call today for a free consultation.