A driver's greatest fears might involve collisions with a semi-truck. Semi-trucks could cause massive damage to other vehicles, and the chances of a fatality appear significant. Untold numbers of semi-truck reach their Washington, DC destinations without troubles, but there are scores of instances where these over-sized vehicles cause great harm. Why do these devastating accidents sometimes happen? A few reasons appear to be common.

Driver mishaps and errors

The truck driver could make a disastrous mistake that leads to a horrific accident. Sometimes, it stems from being a little too tired for the drive. Government regulations reduce the number of hours a driver may spend on the road without a break. Unfortunately, drivers might ignore these rules and put themselves and others at risk.

A driver may follow the rules but feels under the weather or fatigued for some other reason. Regardless, a tired driver might present hazards.

Fatigue is not the only factor that contributes to semi-truck collisions. Drivers might deliberately violate traffic laws to speed up the journey. Driving above the speed limit, passing dangerously, or attempting to force smaller cars out of the way all reflect risky behaviors. A driver that ignores safety increases the chance of a rollover that could end with tragic results.

Gross behaviors and potential accidents

Drunk driving does plague the commercial trucking industry. While many drivers would not think about taking to the highway impaired, some do. These drivers could cause massive accidents that might take lives.

Driving an unsafe truck could also lead to a regrettable accident. Think about how dangerous a semi-truck is when its lights, brakes, windshield wiper blades, or other parts are not properly repaired or maintained.

Semi-truck accidents could leave people with their lives destroyed. If negligence on the part of the truck driver or trucking company was a cause, victims might benefit from a discussion with an attorney.