Reasons Trucking Is Such a Dangerous Job

Oklahoma has numerous resources that require the aid of truckers to deliver these goods to the rest of the nation. In the same way, truckers deliver many necessary products to Oklahoma communities. While many truck accidents are related to the negligence of the trucker or the company he or she drives for, there are many reasons trucking is a dangerous job that are out of the control of the truck driver.

Leading truck safety factors

Bad weather can be a cause of truck accidents because truck drivers feel pressured to soldier on even when it’s too rainy to drive, there’s snow on the ground, or if the glare from the sun makes it impossible to see.

Driver fatigue is another major cause of truck accidents, which can kill or injure the driver who loses control of his/her truck. Truck companies often pressure their drivers to meet very tight delivery schedules instead of encouraging the drivers to rest. There are federal laws that regulate how many hours drivers can drive before resting; still, companies push the limits of these laws instead of encouraging the driver to be safe about his or her approach. It would help truck drivers reduce the risk of accidents, according to Truckdrivingjobs.com, due to fatigue if:

• There were more truck stops;
• Truck drivers could stay at rest areas for an extra hour when needed;
• There was better parking for truck drivers at truck stops to encourage the driver to stop and get needed rest; and
• There were efforts to make sure that the truck drivers get help unloading and loading their cargo, so they don’t suffer back injuries, don’t fall, and don’t get struck by forklifts and other machinery.

Smartrucking.com cites a few other dangers (in addition to well-known ones such as drunk driving and distracted driving) where the truck driver could do more to protect himself/herself. These lesser-known dangers include:

• Making deliveries in unsafe locations
• Failing to fully inspect the truck before starting any delivery
• Being struck by drivers backing up in a loading dock or yard
• Climbing on top of the truck without the proper equipment such as a ladder
• Performing any actions underneath the truck
• Attempting to work on the brake chambers

In addition, truck accidents are often due to product defects that usually can’t be detected until an accident occurs. If a truck driver is injured or killed due to a faulty steering column, a defective ignition system, brakes that fail, or other defects, then the manufacturers and sellers of the defective parts can be held liable.

A new danger to truck drivers

Risk and Insurance reports that new dangers to truck drivers are on the rise. One new danger is cyber-attacks: “Increased use of fleet telematics systems that track the location, status and condition of physical assets creates more access points for hackers. While breaching a private network does expose private customer data, the greatest threat to transportation companies is the potential for cyber criminals to cause physical damage to the vehicle itself or its precious cargo.”

At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers have been fighting for injured drivers, passengers, and bystanders for 20 years. We also fight aggressively for families when a loved one, including a driver, is killed in a truck crash. We have the experience and resources to hold all accountable parties liable such as trucking companies and manufacturers. To speak with a respected injury lawyer, call 405.212.9234 or use our contact form to schedule an appointment with a member of our team.