Large truck crashes cause thousands of deaths and serious injuries every year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, traffic crashes involving large trucks killed 5,472 people in the United States in 2023, and most victims were occupants of other vehicles. Large commercial vehicles make up a small share of vehicles on the road, yet they account for a much higher share of fatal crashes.
Truck accidents happen for many reasons, but violations by trucking companies often play a major role. Federal regulations exist to protect the public, yet many trucking companies ignore these rules to meet tight schedules and cut costs. When companies break the law, innocent victims suffer severe injuries, medical bills, and lost income.
Here are the three common ways trucking companies break the law and cause crashes.
1. Pushing Drivers Beyond Legal Driving Hours and Causing Fatigue
Driver fatigue remains one of the most common causes of truck accidents. Federal law limits how long truck drivers can stay behind the wheel. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires rest breaks and caps driving hours to prevent fatigued driving.
Despite these rules, some trucking companies pressure drivers to meet impossible deadlines. They may alter driver logs or encourage drivers to ignore required rest periods. This practice leads to fatigued drivers who suffer impaired judgment, slower reaction times, and falling asleep behind the wheel.
Research shows fatigue is a serious contributing factor in large truck crashes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that about 13 percent of commercial truck drivers were fatigued at the time of crashes. Other research suggests 10 to 20 percent of truck and bus crashes involve fatigued drivers.
Fatigue increases the risk of reckless, distracted, and lane-departure driving. Long-haul truck drivers often work irregular schedules, which worsens sleep deprivation. When trucking companies ignore federal regulations on driving hours, they share responsibility for the crash.
Electronic logging devices are required to track driving hours. However, some companies still find ways to manipulate driver schedules or pressure drivers to violate limits. These violations often become key evidence in truck accident cases.
2. Poor Maintenance and Ignoring Safety Inspections
Commercial trucks require constant maintenance due to their size and weight. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering defects can cause catastrophic truck crashes. Federal law requires trucking companies to inspect and maintain their vehicles.
Many trucking companies fail to keep proper maintenance records or delay repairs to save money. Poor maintenance is a leading cause of large truck crashes. Studies show that brake and tire problems accounted for roughly two-thirds (about 65%) of all vehicle defects linked to crashes.
Common maintenance failures include:
- Worn brake systems and air brake failures
- Bald or defective tires that cause tire blowouts
- Broken lights or reflectors that reduce visibility
- Faulty steering systems and suspension issues
Large commercial vehicles travel thousands of miles each week. Small mechanical issues can escalate quickly. When trucking companies ignore maintenance schedules, they put drivers and the public at risk. After a truck accident, maintenance records can reveal negligence by the trucking company. Black box data and inspection reports often show whether a vehicle had known defects before the crash.
3. Hiring Unqualified or Inexperienced Drivers
Federal regulations require truck drivers to hold a valid commercial driver’s license and meet training standards. The trucking industry faces driver shortages, which pushes many companies to hire inexperienced drivers or unqualified drivers.
Some companies skip background checks, fail to verify training, or overlook prior safety violations. Inexperienced drivers may struggle with large commercial vehicles, tractor-trailers, and hazardous road conditions.
Unqualified drivers are more likely to speed, drive recklessly, or fail to handle emergencies. Large trucks require advanced skills to brake, turn, and maintain control. When companies put inexperienced drivers behind the wheel, they increase the risk of large truck crashes.
Federal motor carrier safety rules require training, medical certification, and drug testing. When trucking companies ignore these rules, they violate federal law and endanger other drivers.
How Trucking Company Violations Affect Accident Claims
Truck accident cases differ from standard car accident claims. Multiple parties may share responsibility, including:
- The trucking company
- The truck driver
- Maintenance contractors
- Manufacturers of defective parts
Victims may seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. A skilled Pasadena personal injury attorney can help injured victims handle the legal process. Experienced legal representation can identify violations of federal law and build a strong case against the trucking company. Many truck accident lawyers in Pasadena work on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless they recover compensation.
Call Our Truck Accident Lawyers for Legal Help
Trucking companies and their insurers protect themselves from the moment a crash happens. That is why having a law firm that knows how to investigate trucking violations, secure black box data, and hold companies accountable matters.
At the Law Offices of Pius Joseph, we handle truck accident cases with the resources and focus they demand. We look at driver schedules, maintenance records, federal safety violations, and every party that may share responsibility. Our goal is simple: build a strong case and fight for fair compensation while you focus on recovery.
We have seen how this approach makes a difference. As one of our clients, Jorge V., shared:
I was in a truck crash with a semi and I was injured he was able too take care of my medical bills and still send me home happy .Was a pleasure working with Mr. Joseph our journey was amazing and he got me what I deserved well recommended gives feed back ever step of the way makes you feel at home good trusting organization
If you suffered injuries in a truck crash, do not wait for the trucking company to control the narrative. Contact the Law Offices of Pius Joseph today for a free consultation.
