With around 10,000 trucking companies based in Alabama, the industry is a major source of employment for residents. In fact, the trucking sector accounts for one in every 15 jobs in the state, which highlights just how significant the industry is.
Despite technological advancements increasing safety, truck driving can still be a relatively dangerous profession. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that around 500 employees working in the truck transportation sector take time off due to work-related injuries each year, but the risks don’t stop there.
The sheer size and weight of these vehicles mean that any accidents or collisions that occur are likely to cause significant damage and serious harm to those involved. Due to this, it’s important to be aware of what the potential hazards are. With this in mind, take a look at these common causes of truck accidents in Mobile, AL:
1. Malfunctioning Vehicles
If a vehicle isn’t regularly checked or properly maintained, the risk of an accident occurring increases. Although drivers are highly trained, there is limited evasive action they can take if the brakes or the steering malfunction while their vehicle is in transit. As a result, faulty or failing vehicles are the root cause of a considerable number of road traffic accidents.
2. Distractions
Any driver can become distracted when they’re behind the wheel, but truck drivers may be more susceptible to a lack of concentration. As truck drivers spend long periods of time on the road, it’s easy for their concentration to wane. Even when drivers take regular breaks, it only takes a split-second to be distracted enough to overlook a potential hazard and cause a collision.
3. Lack of Experience
Truck drivers must undergo training and pass certain tests before they’re permitted to drive on public roads. However, newly qualified truck drivers may be more likely to inadvertently cause an accident, simply because they don’t have as much experience as their colleagues who have been driving for longer periods of time.
4. Overloading
There are strict rules and regulations when it comes to how much weight a truck can transport and how a vehicle should be loaded. If these regulations aren’t followed, a vehicle becomes much harder to control, which can contribute to accidents and subsequent injuries. Similarly, an overloaded truck could result in debris falling out or off of the vehicle, which could also cause serious accidents to occur.
Dealing with a Truck Accident in Mobile, AL
As Alabama is a hub for the transport industry, it’s sadly not unusual for truck accidents to occur in the state. If you’ve been affected by this type of incident, it’s important to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
With specialist advice, you’ll be able to find out if you’re eligible to take legal action and, if so, how much compensation you could be able to obtain. Although financial compensation doesn’t erase the damage caused by a truck accident in Mobile, AL, it can help you to deal with the practical effects that a serious accident has.
