Main Reasons a Trucker May Have Hit Your Car Head On

If a truck driver hit you head on, you are lucky to be alive. Head-on crashes are fortunately not as common as other types of wrecks, such as rear-end collisions. However, they can be more deadly. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), they caused 13.9 percent—or 520—of all fatalities and 3,000 injuries in 2014.

How Truckers Cause Head-On Accidents

Trucker driving errors are the main causes of these deadly and terrifying collisions. Common ways truckers make mistakes or engage in unsafe driving practices include:

Fatigue.

When truckers are fatigued or fall asleep at the wheel, they can easily veer into oncoming traffic. Driver fatigue is a huge problem for truckers who drive 11 hours a day—or more if they violate federal hours-of-service regulations—day after day.

Driving too fast for conditions.

When truckers do not slow down for weather conditions like snow, ice, fog, and rain, traffic, or construction, they can slide into the other lane or lose control and end up facing oncoming traffic with tragic consequences for the unsuspecting victims.

Distracted driving.

It can only take a few seconds for a trucker to veer into the wrong lane if he is talking on his cellphone, eating and drinking, or checking a GPS with his eyes and mind off the road.

Intoxication.

It is dangerous for anyone to drive when intoxicated or impaired by alcohol, drugs, or over-the-counter or prescription medications. This danger can multiply significantly if a trucker is driving his truck after consuming alcohol, drugs, or certain medications as his reaction time, judgment, and driving skills will be impaired. In extreme cases, he could drive the wrong way on a street or highway ramp, causing horrific injuries to the victims.

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.