How Do Truck Accidents Occur at Truck Stops? - Jones Law Group - Your Lawyers for Life

How Do Truck Accidents Occur at Truck Stops?

Drivers and pedestrians can sustain catastrophic injuries when truck accidents occur at truck stops.

Summary

• Common reasons why truck stop accidents occur include distracted driving, fatigue, improper parking, and motorists’ failure to maintain focus.
• Truck stops provide a place for truck drivers to rest and recharge during long shifts, but accidents can still happen if drivers become complacent.
• Drowsy driving, caused by fatigue from long shifts or lack of sleep, is a common cause of truck accidents at truck stops, accounting for 30-40% of yearly incidents.
• Vigilance is essential for truck drivers when parking or pulling out of parking spots at truck stops to avoid collisions with other vehicles.
• Victims of truck accidents at truck stops can pursue compensation for damages by filing a truck accident claim and hiring a truck accident lawyer to navigate the legal process and maximize their compensation.

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Truck drivers can go for long shifts without breaks, which is why they will stop at truck stops after hours of driving. These truck stops allow truck drivers to have a respite before going back out onto the road. However, truck stop accidents can still occur at rest stops.

Some truck drivers may allow their attention to drift when taking a break at a rest stop, but this mistake can lead to a truck accident. There are still large semi-trucks driving around a truck stop, and truck drivers must drive safely to avoid truck accidents.

Truck stop accidents can happen because of distracted driving, drowsy driving, improper parking techniques, and failing to leave room for other truck drivers. If you were involved in a truck stop accident, consider filing a truck accident claim to pursue compensation for damages.

Reach out to our team to set up a free consultation by calling (727) 571-1333 or filling out a contact form through our website.

Truck Stops Allow for Truck Drivers to Relax After a Long Trip

Truck accidents can occur because of the negligent driving behavior of truck drivers. While some truck drivers engage in commercial trucking violations purposefully, some can make mistakes because of fatigue from driving for so long. Truck stops provide truck drivers a place to take a break to rest from fatigue.

It’s common for truck drivers to operate their semi-trucks for 10+ hour long shifts. Breaks are essential to ensure a truck driver is not tired. However, truck drivers must also be careful that they do not let their guard down when at a rest stop.

Truck stop accidents commonly occur because truck drivers do not pay close enough attention when parking or pulling out. They have a false sense of security at the truck stop and can cause truck accidents when they do not maintain the same level of focus as when on the road.

Stay Alert When Driving at a Truck Stop

Some truck drivers can drive distracted while they take a break at a rest stop. Before they exit their vehicle, they can begin planning their break. They may be focused more on what they want to eat and how long they can take a break than driving safely.

Distracted driving at a truck stop can cause a truck accident, as there are plenty of trucks driving all around the truck stop. It’s unlikely for a truck driver to encounter this many large vehicles anywhere else on the road.

Truck drivers must stay alert at a truck stop to avoid crashing into another truck pulling out of a spot, driving in front of them, or turning into the truck stop. Truck drivers should focus on the road and parking safely instead of worrying about what their break will entail.

Fatigued Driving Contributes to Truck Stop Accidents

Truck stops exist so fatigued truck drivers can stop, relax, and recharge before going back out on the road. The problem that can arise at truck stops is that most of the truck drivers there are fatigued. Many can engage in drowsy driving behavior that can cause a truck accident. 

Drowsy driving occurs when someone is overly tired. They may be fatigued from a long shift, lack of sleep, or use of medication that can cause drowsiness. It’s one of the most common causes of truck accidents, accounting for 30-40% of yearly truck accidents.

Fatigued drivers can lose focus behind the wheel, make poor decisions, and have slower reaction times. All of these issues can contribute to a truck stop accident.

When pulling into a truck stop, truck drivers should ensure they remain focused as they pull into their parking spot. Drowsy drivers who do not pay full attention when parking can crash into another truck and cause catastrophic injuries.

Truck Stop Parking Accidents

Truck drivers must be careful when attempting to park or pull out of a spot to avoid crashing into others. There can be a lot of large trucks coming in and out of a truck stop at once. Staying vigilant and focused is necessary.

When drivers don’t pay attention in truck stop parking lots, they can make mistakes that lead to a truck accident. They may fail to notice a truck pulling out of a spot or pulling into the spot they are trying to park in.

If they do not remain focused, they can cause numerous types of truck accidents and expose others to significant harm. If you suffered a truck accident when parking at a truck stop, you could file a truck accident lawsuit to pursue compensation for damages.

Should You Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Following a truck accident, you could file a truck accident claim to pursue compensatory damages. Truck accident victims can experience significant damages, such as medical bills, property damage, and loss of enjoyment of life. 

Hiring a truck accident lawyer can help with the claims process, as they can use their experience to inform the steps you take. They will know how to help you avoid expensive mistakes during your truck accident claim and maximize your compensation.

A truck accident lawyer can help with the process by determining the value of your claim and obtaining relevant evidence. Additionally, they can assist with assessing the liable party in the truck accident claim and negotiating a fair settlement. Your best chance to recover fair compensatory damages is by hiring a truck accident lawyer.

Contact Jones Law Group for Help With Your Truck Stop Accident Claim

The specialized truck accident lawyers at Jones Law Group have decades of experience helping victims in Florida. We understand the difficulty some truck accident victims without legal experience can have pursuing compensation for damages.

Our truck accident lawyers can use their expertise to help you negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. We offer free consultations to show truck accident victims how we can help them recover fair damages.

Get in touch with our team to set up a free consultation by calling (727) 571-1333 or filling out a contact form through our website.