In the United States, the legal weight limit of a semi-truck is 40 tons. The weight of the average automobile is 5,000 lbs. When you compare these two numbers, you see the potential for danger presented by unsafe semi-truck operation. The truck and car accident lawyers at The Walker Firm serve clients throughout the Warner Robins, GA, area; below, they discuss three common contributors to truck driving accidents.

3 Common Contributors to Truck Driving Accidents

1. Excessive Speed

The transportation industry often places enormous time constraints and tight deadlines on truckers' schedules. Within a very short period of time, a driver is often expected to have their freight loaded, transported, docked, and unloaded. This means that the possibility for excessive speeding is always present, and speeding is one of the leading causes of trucking accidents.

2. Driver Fatigue

There's no denying that semi-truck drivers are on the road most of their waking lives, spending days and weeks away from their homes and families. The stresses of the job can easily lead to driver fatigue, and it's not uncommon for a driver to push themselves to make an impending deadline or to take advantage of smoother travel conditions. Driver fatigue can take the form of drowsiness or sleepiness, erratic driving, slowed reaction times, and poor judgment.

3. Careless Behavior & Driving

The pressures of trucking can force a normally safe driver to engage in reckless or dangerous behavior. Ignoring road rules or road etiquette, driving in unsafe weather conditions, or not tending to routine maintenance issues are all breaches of truck driving safety that can cause an accident. Also, drug use on the part of truck drivers accounts for a significant number of trucking accidents every year.

If you've been involved in a trucking accident, trust the truck and car accident lawyers of The Walker Firm. Call (478) 923-4152, visit their website, or connect with them via their Facebook or Google+ page to schedule a consultation to discuss your accident, injury, or wrongful death case with a car accident lawyer. Let an experienced attorney help you explore your legal options and get you the compensation you deserve.