The Most Common Causes of Truck Crashes We See

Truck accidents are rarely simple. Often, there’s more than one cause—and more than one party to blame. That’s why we don’t just stop at the police report. We go deeper, reviewing logs, mechanical records, black box data, and driver history.

Here are the leading causes we encounter in North Carolina truck wreck cases:

Speeding

• Semi-truck drivers speeding to meet deadlines pose a danger to everyone.
• Trucks require much longer distances to stop—high speed often leads to catastrophic rear-end collisions.
• Nearly one-fourth of truckers involved in fatal crashes had prior speeding convictions.

Driving Too Fast for Conditions

• Rain, fog, or slick pavement demand slower speeds—even if the limit allows faster driving.
• Truckers failing to adjust to weather or traffic conditions can be held liable for resulting crashes.

Blind Spots and Poor Visibility

• Commercial trucks have massive blind spots on all sides.
• When a driver fails to check those zones before turning or changing lanes, cars in their path pay the price.

Distracted Driving

• Cellphones, GPS devices, food, or even communication with dispatchers can divert a trucker’s attention.
• Just a few seconds of inattention can result in a life-altering crash.

Brake Failures

• Brakes out of adjustment or poorly maintained are involved in nearly 30% of truck accidents, according to federal studies.
• Trucking companies are legally responsible for regular inspections and maintenance—cutting corners can be deadly.

Driver Fatigue

• Federal law limits truckers to 11 hours of driving in a 14-hour window. But not all drivers follow the rules.
• Fatigue leads to slower reaction times and falling asleep at the wheel—often with no braking before impact.

Over-the-Counter Drug Use

• Cold medicine, allergy pills, and other legal medications can cause drowsiness or impaired judgment.
• These subtle side effects contribute to crashes even when alcohol or illegal drugs aren’t involved.

Unfamiliarity with Roadways

• Truckers who don’t know the area may miss turns, make sudden lane changes, or take exits too fast.
• This risk is higher when drivers rely on paper maps or check GPS while moving.

Tailgating and Following Too Closely

• Trucks need far more distance to stop than passenger vehicles.
• Rear-end collisions from a truck usually leave the smaller car destroyed—and occupants seriously hurt or killed.

Rollovers

• Tanker trucks and flatbeds carrying heavy or uneven cargo can roll during turns.
• Improper loading or inexperienced drivers increase rollover risk dramatically.

Impaired Driving

• Methamphetamines and stimulants are sometimes used by drivers trying to stay awake longer.
• Alcohol, illegal substances, and even medical conditions (like epilepsy) have been behind tragic truck crashes we’ve investigated.
• In some cases, companies knowingly hire medically unfit drivers due to staffing shortages.

Holding Trucking Companies Accountable

In most serious truck accidents, it’s not just the driver who is liable. The trucking company, maintenance contractors, cargo loaders, or even manufacturers may share responsibility. Common signs of negligence we investigate include:

• Ignored safety violations
• Poor driver screening or training
• Unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage speeding or skipped rest
• Maintenance logs showing overdue repairs

At LawyerPower Office of Mark Farbman, we work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and logistics analysts to get a clear, defensible picture of what caused the crash—and who needs to pay.

Why Acting Fast Matters

After a crash, trucking companies immediately send legal teams and investigators to the scene. Their job? Minimize liability and protect the company’s bottom line.

If you wait too long to get your own attorney involved, critical evidence like:

• Black box data (EDR)
• Driver logs
• Dash cam or surveillance footage
• Maintenance records

…could be lost, altered, or legally inaccessible.

Talk to a Charlotte Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident in North Carolina, don’t face this alone. The trucking company already has lawyers protecting them. You need someone doing the same for you.

Our team at the LawyerPower Office of Mark Farbman has decades of experience fighting trucking companies—and winning. We know how to dig up the evidence they don’t want you to see and build a case that gets results.

Call (704) 542-1555 today for your free consultation.