Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Tennessee

Tennessee ranks among the country’s most dangerous states for truck accidents. With thousands of commercial vehicle crashes occurring annually on our highways, understanding what causes these devastating collisions can help motorists stay safer on the road. Large commercial trucks present unique dangers due to their size, weight, and limited maneuverability, making accidents with these vehicles particularly severe.

Driver-Related Causes of Truck Accidents 

Human error tends to be the leading factor in most truck accidents. When truck drivers make mistakes, the consequences often prove far more serious than collisions involving only passenger vehicles. The top driver-related causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver Fatigue – Long hours behind the wheel lead to reduced reaction times and impaired judgment. Despite federal regulations limiting driving hours, some drivers falsify logs to drive longer shifts, increasing accident risks.
• Distracted Driving – Using phones, adjusting navigation systems, eating, or any activity taking attention from the road creates dangerous conditions, especially for vehicles requiring greater stopping distances.
• Speeding – Delivery deadlines often pressure drivers to exceed speed limits. Commercial trucks require significantly more time and distance to stop than passenger vehicles, making speeding particularly hazardous.
• Aggressive Driving – Road rage affects truck drivers just as it does other motorists. When controlling an 80,000-pound vehicle, aggressive behaviors like tailgating or sudden lane changes become exponentially more dangerous.
• Impaired Driving – Alcohol and drug use dramatically reduce a driver’s ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely. The impairment affects reaction time, judgment, and vision—all critical faculties for safe truck operation.
• Improper Training – Commercial vehicles require specialized skills to operate safely. Inadequate training leaves drivers unprepared for emergency situations or basic maneuvers like wide turns.
• Failure to Yield – When truck drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to other vehicles, they often create situations where smaller vehicles have nowhere to go to avoid a collision.
• Improper Lane Changes – Large trucks have significant blind spots. When drivers change lanes without properly checking these areas, they risk sideswiping other vehicles or forcing them off the road.

Vehicle-Related Causes of Truck Accidents

Beyond driver behavior, commercial vehicles’ mechanical condition and characteristics contribute significantly to accident risks.

• Mechanical Failures – Truck drivers often lose control of their vehicles when crucial systems like brakes, steering, or tires fail. The results can be catastrophic.
• Improper Maintenance – Neglecting regular inspections and maintenance creates conditions where component failures become more likely. Federal regulations require systematic maintenance, but some companies cut corners.
• Unsafe Loads – Improperly secured or distributed cargo tends to shift during transport, potentially causing jackknife accidents or rollovers. Furthermore, overloaded trucks require longer stopping distances and increased mechanical stress.
• Equipment Defects – Manufacturing defects in truck components can lead to sudden failures, even when maintenance schedules are followed.
• Jackknife Accidents – These occur when the trailer swings out at an angle from the cab, often resulting from improper braking, slippery conditions, or equipment issues.
• Blind Spot Accidents – Commercial trucks have enormous blind spots (areas where the driver cannot see surrounding vehicles). When passenger cars linger in these zones, collisions become much more likely.

Environmental Factors Contributing to Truck Crashes

External conditions frequently play a role in commercial vehicle accidents, creating situations that challenge even experienced drivers.

• Weather-Related Hazards – Rain, snow, ice, and fog reduce visibility and traction. Large trucks become particularly difficult to control in adverse weather conditions.
• Road Conditions – Poorly maintained roads, construction zones, and unexpected obstacles present more significant challenges for trucks than for smaller vehicles.
• Visibility Issues – Nighttime driving or bad weather reduces visibility, making it harder for truck drivers to spot potential hazards in time to react appropriately.

Preventing Truck Accidents on Tennessee Roads 

While we can’t control every factor that leads to truck accidents, awareness can help reduce risks for everyone sharing the road with commercial vehicles. Keep the following in mind when you’re on the road:

• Maintain a Safe Distance – Never follow closely behind a truck. If you cannot see the truck’s side mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
• Avoid Blind Spots – Commercial trucks have large blind spots on all four sides. Pass quickly through these areas rather than lingering alongside a truck.
• Signal Clearly – Use turn signals well in advance when passing or moving around trucks, giving drivers time to anticipate your movements.
• Pass with Caution – When overtaking a truck, maintain a consistent speed and leave plenty of space before moving back into the lane.
• Respect Stopping Distance – Never cut in front of a truck and immediately slow down. Large trucks need much more distance to stop safely.
• Avoid Distractions – Stay focused when driving near commercial vehicles, as you may need to react quickly to unexpected situations.

What to Do If You’re Involved in a Truck Accident

If you suffer injuries in a collision with a commercial truck, taking the right steps immediately afterward is essential for protecting your health and your claim. As such, you should be sure to do the following:

• Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
• Document the scene with photos if it is safe to do so.
• Gather contact information from witnesses.
• Report the incident to law enforcement.
• Contact an experienced truck accident attorney who understands the complex factors involved in commercial vehicle crashes.

Truck accident cases involve multiple parties, including drivers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, and manufacturers. Identifying all responsible parties requires thorough investigation and legal skills.

Contact Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC to Discuss Your Tennessee Truck Accident Claim

At Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, we understand how challenging life can become for truck accident victims and their families. Our experienced attorneys have fought successfully for thousands of injured individuals in the Memphis Tri-State Area since 1970. We know how to investigate these complex cases, identify all liable parties, and fight for the full compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering.

If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in a truck accident in Tennessee, Mississippi, or Arkansas, call our firm today at (901) 526-2126 or contact us online for a free consultation. One call, that’s all! Our experienced legal team will review your case and help you understand your options for moving forward.