12 Most Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

Hey folks, Tall Chuck here.

If you’re reading about the causes of commercial truck accidents, odds are something bad already happened. Maybe:

• An 18‑wheeler slammed into you at a red light.
• A delivery truck drifted into your lane.
• A big rig rear‑ended your car in traffic.

Now your neck, back, or head hurts. Your car’s totaled. Bills are stacking up. The trucking company’s insurance adjuster is calling like it’s their full‑time hobby.

And you’re thinking:

• “Was this really just an ‘accident’?”
• “Did the driver mess up, or did the company push them too hard?”
• “What actually caused this crash — and can I prove it?”

From my 7‑foot‑tall vantage point, I see the same patterns over and over. There are common causes of commercial truck accidents that show up again and again — and they’re rarely just “bad luck.”Let’s walk through the 12 big ones so you can better understand what might’ve really happened.

Plain‑Talk: What Counts as a “Commercial Truck” and Why It Matters

When we talk about accidents involving commercial trucks, we’re not just talking about huge 18‑wheelers on the interstate. A “commercial truck” can include:

• 18‑wheelers / semi‑trucks / tractor‑trailers
• Box trucks and delivery trucks (Amazon, FedEx, etc.)
• Company‑owned work trucks and service vehicles
• Dump trucks, concrete mixers, and other heavy trucks

Why does it matter?

• Heavier and deadlier: These trucks weigh many times more than a car. They need more time and distance to stop.
• Bigger blind spots: There are “no‑zones” where the trucker simply can’t see you.
• Special safety rules: Many commercial trucks are covered by federal and state regulations — limits on driving hours, maintenance, inspections, and more.
• Multiple players: There may be several responsible parties:
  • The driver
  • The trucking company
  • The company that loaded the cargo
  • A broker or shipper
  • A maintenance shop

So when we dig into the cause of a commercial truck accident, we’re not just asking “What did the driver do?” We’re asking, “What did the system behind that driver look like?”

What’s at Stake After an Accident Involving a Commercial Truck

When a regular car tangles with a commercial truck, the truck usually wins. The people in the smaller vehicle pay the price:

• Serious injuries – broken bones, brain injuries, spinal damage, internal injuries
• Long‑term disability – chronic pain, mobility problems, PTSD
• Huge medical bills – ER visits, surgeries, rehab, medications
• Lost income – time off work now and reduced earning ability later
• Family stress – childcare issues, depression, strain on relationships

Meanwhile, the trucking company and its insurance carrier move fast:

• Their investigators may be at the scene within hours.
• They’re looking for ways to limit blame and limit payouts.

Understanding the causes of commercial truck accidents isn’t just about curiosity. It’s about:

• Knowing who might be responsible (often more than just the driver)
• Knowing what evidence matters
• Protecting your rights, health, and financial future

The 12 Most Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

Let’s break these down one by one.

Driver Fatigue and Hours‑of‑Service Violations

Truck drivers often work long, irregular hours. There are federal “hours‑of‑service” rules that say how long they can drive before they must rest.

In the real world?

• Drivers are under pressure to deliver loads fast.
• Some are paid by the mile, not the hour.
• Schedules are tight. Traffic and delays eat up time.

So they:

• Push past safe limits.
• Drive while exhausted.
• Fudge paper logs or manipulate electronic ones.

Fatigue can cause:

• Slower reaction times
• Drifting out of lanes
• Rear‑end crashes because the driver didn’t brake in time
• Falling asleep at the wheel

When we investigate, we look at:

• Logbooks
• Electronic logging device (ELD) data
• Fuel receipts, toll records, GPS
• Dispatch records and texts

All of that can show whether fatigue was a cause of the commercial truck accident.

Distracted Driving (Phones, GPS, In‑Cab Tech)

We all know phones and driving don’t mix. For truck drivers, it’s even more dangerous.

Distractions include:

• Texting, scrolling, or watching videos
• Messing with GPS or dispatch tablets
• Eating, drinking, or reaching for items in the cab
• Using in‑cab entertainment systems

In accidents involving commercial trucks, we often see:

• No skid marks (no attempt to brake)
• Sudden lane departures
• Rear‑end impacts at high speed

Evidence of distraction can come from:

• Phone records
• Onboard cameras
• Telematics data from the trucking company
• Witness statements

There are federal rules limiting handheld phone use for truck drivers, but rules don’t stop everyone.

Speeding and Driving Too Fast for Conditions

Trucks take a long time to stop. When they speed, the danger skyrockets.

Speeding can mean:

• Driving over the posted limit.
• Or driving at the limit but too fast for weather, traffic, or road conditions.

Common patterns:

• Speeding through construction zones
• Coming in hot to traffic slowdowns or stopped traffic
• Going too fast on curves or ramps, leading to rollovers

Evidence might include:

• “Black box” data (event data recorder)
• Dashcam footage
• Witnesses who heard or saw the impact
• Scene measurements (skid marks, damage patterns)

Speed is one of the most frequent causes of commercial truck accidents, especially on highways.

Impaired Driving (Alcohol, Drugs, Medications)

Most truck drivers are professionals who take safety seriously. But some still drive impaired by:

• Alcohol
• Illegal drugs
• Prescription medications
• Over‑the‑counter “stay awake” or cold medicines

Impairment doesn’t have to mean falling‑down drunk. Even “a little” can:

• Slow reactions
• Affect judgment
• Increase risk of bad decisions

Trucking companies have responsibilities for:

• Pre‑employment drug testing
• Random testing
• Post‑accident testing

When they cut corners here, impairment can become a key part of the liability picture.

Poor Truck Maintenance and Mechanical Failures

Big trucks put a lot of miles on the road. They need regular:

• Brake inspections
• Tire checks and replacements
• Steering and suspension maintenance
• Light and signal inspections

If maintenance is skipped or rushed, you get:

• Brake failures – can’t stop in time
• Blowouts – sudden loss of control
• Steering issues – drifting or inability to correct
• Lighting problems – other drivers can’t see the truck clearly

Sometimes the driver doesn’t even own the truck. It may be the company’s job — or a third‑party maintenance shop’s job — to keep it safe.

We look at:

• Maintenance logs
• Inspection reports
• Repair invoices
• Prior violation history

These records can reveal when poor maintenance is the real cause of a commercial truck accident.

Overloaded or Improperly Secured Cargo

What the truck is carrying — and how it’s loaded — matters a lot.

Problems include:

• Overloaded trucks – too much weight makes stopping harder and increases rollover risk.
• Uneven loads – weight piled on one side can tip the truck.
• Improperly secured cargo – things shift, fall off, or smash through the trailer walls.

You might see:

• A truck that tips over on a curve
• Cargo spilling onto the highway, causing chain‑reaction crashes
• A trailer that fishtails or sways

Sometimes the shipper or loading company shares responsibility for accidents involving commercial trucks, not just the driver.

Inadequate Driver Training and Inexperience

Driving a commercial truck isn’t just “like a car but bigger.” It’s a different beast.

Drivers need training on:

• Turning and backing up
• Braking with a full load
• Handling emergencies (blowouts, sudden stops, jackknifes)
• Driving safely in city traffic vs. highways

Common issues:

• New drivers rushed through training.
• Companies hiring cheap, inexperienced drivers and throwing them into tough routes.
• No refresher training after prior accidents or violations.

When a trucker makes a basic mistake that trained drivers should avoid, inadequate training becomes part of the story — and the company can be on the hook.

Unsafe Lane Changes and Blind Spots (“No‑Zones”)

Trucks have big blind spots:

• Along both sides (especially right side)
• Directly behind the trailer
• Right in front of the cab

Unsafe maneuvers include:

• Changing lanes without checking mirrors carefully
• Drifting into adjacent lanes
• Cutting off cars when merging or exiting
• Swinging wide on turns and clipping vehicles

These moves can cause:

• Sideswipe crashes
• Cars being run off the road
• Multi‑vehicle pileups

Even when a car is in a blind spot, a driver still has a duty to change lanes safely. Blind spots explain how it happened; they don’t excuse it.

Tailgating and Aggressive Driving

Commercial truck drivers are under pressure to deliver loads on time. That pressure can turn into aggression:

• Riding too close to other vehicles
• Flashing lights or honking to push cars out of the way
• Sudden lane changes in tight traffic
• Speeding up to “block” merging vehicles

When a 40‑ton vehicle tailgates you, you’re one blink away from a serious rear‑end collision.

Aggressive driving often ties back to:

• Company policies
• Delivery schedules
• Pay structures that reward speed over safety

So again, it’s not always just “one bad driver.”

Bad Weather and Failure to Adjust Driving

Rain, fog, ice, and high winds all make trucks harder to control.

A careful truck driver:

• Slows down
• Increases following distance
• Leaves more room for braking
• Sometimes pulls over and waits for conditions to improve

A negligent driver:

• Keeps driving the same speed
• Tailgates
• Makes unsafe lane changes
• Fails to brake in time

Legally, “it was raining” is not a free pass. Drivers and companies still have a duty to drive safely for the conditions.

Unsafe Company Policies and Delivery Pressure

This is one of the big hidden causes of commercial truck accidents: what’s happening behind the scenes at the trucking company.

Red flags include:

• Unrealistic delivery deadlines
• Pay that rewards breaking speed limits and skipping breaks
• Dispatchers pressuring drivers to keep going despite fatigue or bad weather
• “Do whatever it takes” culture

If a company’s policies reward dangerous driving, that company shouldn’t be allowed to shrug and blame everything on the individual driver.

Internal emails, dispatch logs, and testimony can shed light on this.

Negligent Hiring and Supervision

Some companies put the wrong people behind the wheel.

Negligent hiring includes:

• Hiring drivers with serious prior violations (DUIs, reckless driving, prior crashes)
• Failing to run proper background checks
• Ignoring red flags in driving records

Negligent supervision includes:

• Not monitoring drivers’ hours, logs, or violations
• Failing to discipline unsafe drivers
• Ignoring patterns of complaints or accidents

When a company hands the keys to someone it should’ve known was unsafe, that’s not just bad judgment — that can be legal negligence.

What These Causes Mean for Your Case

Why spend all this time on the causes of commercial truck accidents?

Because the cause tells us:

• Who may be legally responsible (driver, company, shipper, maintenance provider, broker)
• What evidence we need (logs, black box data, maintenance records, policies, video)
• Where insurance coverage might come from (sometimes multiple policies)

Most accidents involving commercial trucks aren’t just “driver messed up.” They’re:

• Driver + company pressure
• Driver + bad maintenance
• Driver + unsafe loading
• Or a mix of all of the above

When we know the cause, we can:

• Build a stronger case
• Hold more than just the driver accountable
• Maximize the resources available to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and future needs

Pro Tip from Tall Chuck

With big‑rig crashes, the truck and its data are the crime scene. Black box info, logs, and maintenance records can vanish or “change” fast. The sooner someone is fighting to preserve that evidence, the harder it is for anybody to conveniently “lose” it.

What You Can Do After a Crash Involving a Commercial Truck

There’s no perfect checklist for a terrible day, but here are steps that often help:

1. Get medical care immediately: Even if you “feel okay,” get checked out. Adrenaline hides injuries.
2. Follow your doctor’s instructions: Go to follow‑up appointments, therapy, and recommended tests. Gaps in treatment are often used against you.
3. If you’re able, gather basic info at the scene:

• Photos or video of vehicles, damage, skid marks, road conditions
• The truck’s company name and DOT numbers
• The driver’s name and contact information
• Names and contact info for witnesses

4. Keep all paperwork.

• Police report information
• Tow bills
• Repair estimates or total loss letters
• Medical bills and records
• Notes on how your injuries affect

5. Be very careful with the trucking company’s insurance.

• Don’t give a recorded statement without talking to a lawyer.
• Don’t guess about speed, distance, or fault.
• Don’t sign broad medical or records releases.

6. Talk to a lawyer who handles commercial truck cases. These cases aren’t regular fender‑benders. A lawyer who understands accidents involving commercial trucks knows how to:

• Preserve black box and log data
• Demand maintenance and training records
• Identify all responsible parties
• Push back when the insurer tries to blame you

You focus on getting better. Let someone else handle the trucking company and their army of adjusters and lawyers.

5 Common Mistakes People Make After a Commercial Truck Accident

Nobody plans for this. Folks make the same avoidable mistakes over and over, usually because they’re scared and overwhelmed. Here are a few to watch out for.

Mistake #1: Taking the First “Quick” Settlement Offer

The trucking company’s insurer may rush in with a check and a friendly tone. It might even sound generous in the moment.

But:

• You may not know the full extent of your injuries yet.
• Future surgeries, injections, or therapy aren’t priced in.
• Lost earning capacity — the impact on your long‑term work life — is often ignored.

Once you sign, you usually can’t go back for more.

Mistake #2: Assuming It Was “Just the Driver’s Fault”

It’s easy to think: “That driver hit me. End of story.”

In reality, many causes of commercial truck accidents trace back to:

• Company policies
• Unsafe schedules
• Bad maintenance
• Poor hiring and training

If you only look at the driver, you may miss additional responsible parties — and additional insurance coverage — that could help cover your losses.

Mistake #3: Letting the Trucking Company Control the Evidence

The truck, its data, and its documents are the beating heart of your case. Common missteps:

• Letting the company repair or put the truck back on the road before anyone inspects it for you
• Not sending preservation letters for black box data, logs, and maintenance records
• Trusting that the company will “do the right thing” and keep everything

If nobody is on your side demanding preservation, key evidence can get “lost,” overwritten, or “accidentally” destroyed.

Mistake #4: Posting About the Crash on Social Media

I know — you’re hurting, and people want updates. But:

• Insurance companies and defense lawyers monitor your social media.
• Innocent posts (“Feeling a little better today!”) can be twisted to say you weren’t really hurt.
• Arguments about what happened can create inconsistencies they’ll use against you.

Better move: share details privately with your family and your lawyer, not publicly with the whole internet.

Mistake #5: Waiting Too Long to Talk to a Lawyer

Time is not your friend in truck cases:

• Black box data can be overwritten.
• Trucks get repaired or scrapped.
• Surveillance footage is recorded over.
• Witness memories fade.

The longer you wait, the harder it can be to prove what really caused the crash.

Pro Tip from Tall Chuck:

After a wreck with a big truck, think of time like oil on a griddle — it goes fast. The sooner someone is working to lock down evidence, the better your chances of getting the full truth and the full value of your case.

You’re Not Weak for Asking Questions

Let me say this clearly: You are not greedy for wanting answers.

You are not overreacting for wondering if the trucking company did something wrong. You are not a burden for needing help with this.

When you’ve been hit by a commercial truck:

• You’re dealing with pain, fear, and confusion.
• You’re getting calls and letters from people who do this every day for a living.
• You’re trying to protect your family while your world just got flipped like a pickup in a ditch.

Wanting to know the true cause of a commercial truck accident that hurt you or your loved one is normal. It’s responsible. It’s how you protect yourself and help keep the next family from going through the same thing.

Getting informed isn’t a weakness. It’s you standing tall in a hard moment.

When a Truck Wreck Isn’t an “Accident” — It’s a System Failure

Commercial truck crashes don’t just happen because someone “made a mistake.” They happen because systems break down — pressure from above, shortcuts behind the scenes, and risks that were ignored long before the impact.

That’s where we step in. At Bennett Legal, we don’t accept the easy explanation — and we don’t let trucking companies hide behind one driver when the problem runs deeper.

Here’s how we approach these cases:

We Investigate the Real Cause of the Crash

Truck accident cases are never just about the moment of impact. We dig into what led up to it:

• Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
• Poor maintenance and skipped inspections
• Unsafe company scheduling and delivery pressure
• Improper loading or weight distribution
• Training failures and ignored safety warnings

If the crash was predictable — and preventable — we make that clear.

We Preserve and Analyze Critical Evidence Early

In trucking cases, evidence disappears fast. We move quickly to secure what matters most, including:

• Black box and telematics data showing speed, braking, and driving behavior
• Driver logs and dispatch records revealing fatigue or rule violations
• Maintenance and inspection files that expose neglected equipment
• Company safety policies, training manuals, and compliance records

This evidence often tells a very different story than the one insurers want you to hear.

We Identify Every Responsible Party; Not Just the Driver

Truck crashes usually involve more than one liable party. We look beyond the cab to hold the right people accountable, including:

• The trucking company
• The shipper or cargo loader
• The freight broker
• Third-party maintenance or inspection providers

When responsibility is spread out, your recovery shouldn’t be limited by finger-pointing.

We Handle the Insurance Pressure So You Don’t Have To

Commercial insurers move fast — not to help you, but to protect themselves. We take over:

• The calls
• The paperwork
• The delay tactics and lowball strategies

So you can focus on healing instead of fighting adjusters trained to minimize your claim.

No Jargons, No Fancy Words. No Fog.

No legal fog. No talking over your head.

We break down:

• What happened
• Who may be responsible
• What your options actually are
• What comes next — and why

Let Bennett Legal carry the fight while you focus on healing.

👉 Contact Bennett Legal today for a free case evaluation.

Because when loss changes everything, we make sure justice changes the outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why are truck accident cases more complex than regular car crashes?

Commercial truck crashes involve federal regulations, multiple companies, and high-value insurance policies. Unlike a typical car wreck, liability may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, cargo loaders, brokers, or maintenance providers. Each party often has its own insurer and legal team — which is why these cases require deeper investigation and faster evidence preservation.

Is the truck driver always at fault in a commercial truck accident?

Not necessarily. In many cases, the driver is only part of the problem — or not the problem at all. Crashes are often caused by fatigue-inducing schedules, poor maintenance, unsafe loading, or company pressure to violate safety rules. Determining fault means looking at the entire operation, not just who was behind the wheel.

What kind of evidence matters most in a truck accident case?

Some of the most important evidence includes:

• Black box and telematics data
• Driver logs and dispatch records
• Maintenance and inspection reports
• Cargo loading documentation
• Company safety and training policies

This evidence can disappear or be overwritten quickly, which is why acting early is critical.

Will the trucking company’s insurance contact me — and should I talk to them?

Yes, and they often move fast. Their goal is to limit exposure, not to protect your interests. You’re not required to give a recorded statement or accept early settlement offers. Speaking with an attorney first helps prevent misstatements, pressure tactics, or undervaluing your claim before the full impact of your injuries is known.

DISCLAIMER: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Wrongful death law is extremely complex and varies significantly by state, including who can file and the deadline to do so (Statute of Limitations). Do not use this information to make filing decisions. You must consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction immediately.