In Arkansas, we experience our fair share of semi-truck accidents. With 18-wheelers racing to meet deadlines on major highways including 1-49, Highway 412 and Highway 71, Northwest Arkansas is not immune to the dangers of tractor-trailers. But why do these accidents occur?
At Elliot & Smith Law Firm, we have helped many people just like you who have been injured in accidents involving commercial trucks. With our extensive experience handling these types of cases, we have investigated many factors that lead to these accidents. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
Driver Fatigue
Although there are now strict rules limiting how long drivers can be on the road without resting, trucking companies still require their drivers go long distances without sleep for no other reason than profits.
Defective Vehicle Parts
Tractor-trailer parts are subject to wear and tear over hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles. Avoiding proper maintenance can lead to defective brakes, fractured axles, broken hitches, and even blown tires. These are some of the most common causes of accidents involving semi-trucks.
Unsecured Loads
When debris, equipment or goods fall off a truck during transit, it can lead to serious accidents and even collisions.
Substance Abuse
Driving a truck is hard work and working long hours has led some truck drivers to turn to substances to stay awake. In some cases, this often leads to turning to alcohol to get to sleep. Abusing any substance, such as drugs or alcohol, reduces coordination, leads to slower reaction times and many other side effects that can cause an accident.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, contact our personal injury law firm online or by phone at 479-JUSTICE (587-8423) to speak with an experienced Fayetteville, Arkansas tractor trailer accidents attorney. We are dedicated to serving clients in Benton County, Washington County, Sebastian County and throughout Northwest Arkansas.
