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While the nation’s truck drivers are indispensable, careless actions behind the wheel can lead to disastrous wrecks and catastrophic damages. With over 75 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases, the team at Coyne, Cundiff & Hillemann, PC, understands the devastating ramifications such incidents have on the lives of all parties involved. To help the residents of Lake St. Louis, MO, avoid the issue, they discuss the most common factors that cause these occurrences.

The Top Perils of Trucking Accidents

1. Driver Fatigue

Truckers are typically under tight schedules when making deliveries. To hit deadlines, many will forgo a good night’s rest, which can easily lead to fatigue. Driving while exhausted is dangerous, causing focus and reaction times to drop and leading to deadly auto accidents. While there are regulations in place obligating rest breaks, many truckers flout these rules.

2. Malfunctioning Vehicles

Malfunctions can also lead to serious injury. Whether due to faulty components or lack of proper maintenance, a failing big rig can cause a serious crash, often involving several other cars on the road. Trucking companies must ensure their vehicles are up to par or face potentially deadly consequences.

3. Driving Under the Influence

personal injuryUnfortunately, some truckers do get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. When combined with other risk factors, this is a recipe for disaster. Consuming drugs or alcohol before driving diminishes response times, clouds judgment, and impairs hand-eye coordination.

4. Improper Training

Truckers must undergo proper training to follow safety standards. If they are unaware of related procedures or the best methods for controlling their vehicles, accidents are likely to occur. Management should take this responsibility seriously and ensure their employees are capable and informed when operating big rigs.

5. Speeding

Speeding is dangerous under even the best of circumstances. When a trucker goes too fast, the potential for devastating wrecks greatly increases. Trucks and buses are harder to stop than smaller passenger vehicles. When racing, the driver limits their reaction time to slow down if met with an unexpected obstacle in the road.

If you’ve been hurt in an accident, turn to the seasoned personal injury attorneys at Coyne, Cundiff & Hillemann, PC. They offer their clients quality counsel and representation to ensure they receive the best possible outcome and the compensation they deserve. Schedule your consultation today by calling (636) 561-5599. If you’d like more information on what sets them apart and the services they provide, visit the firm online.

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