What is the number one cause for truck accidents?
Despite advanced safety technology, truck accidents remain a major concern on US roads. Among the many contributing factors, driver fatigue stands as the leading cause.
Long-haul truckers face demanding schedules with tight deadlines, often driving hundreds of miles daily. This pressure forces many to push beyond their limits. The FMCSA estimates fatigue contributes to roughly 13% of all commercial vehicle crashes.
When exhaustion sets in, reaction time slows, judgment falters, and attention wanders. A mere four-second microsleep at highway speeds means traveling the length of a football field essentially blindfolded.
Solutions include stricter hours-of-service enforcement, sleep apnea screening, and alertness monitoring technology. Yet the most effective prevention remains simple: recognizing fatigue signs and prioritizing rest over deadlines.
For other drivers, maintaining safe distance from trucks and being aware of their blind spots is the best defense against becoming another statistic.
Been in a truck accident? Contact Munley today for a free consultation.
Note: Every accident case is unique, and settlement amounts vary based on specific circumstances. Past settlements do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases.
