What Is the Most Common Cause of Truck Accidents?

Accidents can happen at any time and involve any type of vehicle, but the outcome tends to be particularly devastating when a truck is involved. Injuries can be catastrophic when the weight of a truck collides with a car, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian. Truck collisions account for a significant number of fatalities in Canada each year. 

In this blog post, we’ll have a look at the top causes of truck accidents. If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident and need help securing the compensation you need, we welcome you to reach out for advice from an experienced Barrie truck injury lawyer at Littlejohn Barristers. 

Common Causes of Ontario Truck Accidents

When we talk about truck accidents, we’re talking about accidents involving heavy-duty pick-up trucks, as well as commercial vehicles such as 18-wheelers (tractor trailers), flatbed trucks, straight trucks, delivery trucks, garbage trucks, dump trucks, cement trucks, and tanker trucks. 

The majority of truck accidents in Ontario are caused by one or more of these factors: 

1. Excessive Speed

   Driving over the speed limit and driving too fast for conditions are top factors in truck collisions. A large truck requires a greater stopping distance. It’s more difficult for a truck such as an 18-wheelner to slow down and stop when speeding, especially when the truck is weighed down with cargo.

2. Driver Fatigue

   Truck drivers often work long hours. Ontario has strict “hours of service” regulations that limit how long a driver can go without a break, but those regulations aren’t always followed. Driver fatigue leads to inattention, distraction, and in the worst cases, falling asleep at the wheel. It’s one of the most common contributing factors in fatal truck collisions in Canada. 

3. Aggressive Driving

   The time pressures associated with trucking and deliveries are linked with aggressive driving such as speeding and driving too fast for current conditions, which we already discussed. Other reckless behaviours such as tailgating, improper lane changes, weaving in traffic, ignoring traffic signals, and failing to yield the right of way can increase the risk of a truck collision. 

4. Improperly Loaded Cargo

   An improperly loaded truck (e.g., overloaded, unbalanced/unevenly loaded) can be extremely hazardous. A driver will have a more difficult time maneuvering an improperly loaded truck. The load can shift, and the truck is more likely to tip or spill cargo onto the highway. 

5. Malfunctioning Equipment 

   Equipment problems—whether due to wear and tear, improper vehicle maintenance, or human error—makes trucks less reliable and more likely to crash. Vehicle problems that lead to accidents include defects in the hydraulic braking system, mechanical system faults, and worn or improperly inflated tires. 

6. Distracted Driving

   Texting, emailing, talking on a cell phone, checking directions, eating, and drinking are all behaviours that take attention from the road. A split second of distraction can cause a truck collision that leads to life-altering injuries such as quadriplegia, paraplegia, or traumatic brain injury. 

7. Driver Inexperience 

   A truck driver with relatively little experience is more likely be involved in a crash, as is a driver who hasn’t received proper training. They simply don’t have the necessary skills or experience to react to situations or avoid hazards that lead to crashes. 

8. Driver Intoxication 

   A truck driver impaired by alcohol or drugs (prescription or illegal drugs) will have slower reaction times and diminished judgment skills. Canadian statistics show that driver impairment is a common contributing factor in fatal accidents involving commercial trucks.

9. Poor Weather and Road Conditions

   Snow, rain, and ice can reduce visibility and make roads slippery. Winter driving in Barrie and throughout Simcoe County can be treacherous due to heavy snowfall and darker days. Improperly trained drivers, long-haul drivers from warmer regions, and drivers in a rush due to time constraints are at increased risk of causing a crash. 

Claiming Compensation After a Truck Accident

You may be entitled to compensation from more than one source if you are hurt in an Ontario truck accident. Common sources of compensation include a Statutory Accident Benefits (“SABs”) claim and a tort claim (a.k.a. a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault truck driver). Commercial truck accidents can give rise to challenging insurance issues if the vehicle is insured in another jurisdiction such as the United States. Another challenge can arise if you were working when injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle—you may need to decide between a workers compensation (“WSIB”) claim and a SABs/tort claim. 

Whatever the circumstances may be, your best bet is to reach out for advice and guidance from a Barrie truck injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. Our injury lawyers can review your case, explain your legal options, and devise a strategy to maximize the compensation you receive. 

Legal Advice and Support from a Barrie Truck Injury Lawyer 

Barrie-based personal injury lawyers at Littlejohn Barristers are here to help if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. Our lawyers have extensive experience with truck accidents in Orillia, Collingwood, Midland, and Barrie, especially those occurring on the busy routes of Highway 400 and Highway 11. 

Contact our personal injury law firm today at 705-725-7355 to arrange your free consultation with a Barrie truck accident lawyer.