Deadly Transport Truck Accidents On the Rise in Ontario

Transport trucks contribute to the nation’s economic wellbeing by moving products and raw materials throughout Canada and across the border to and from the United States. The reliance on trucks brings with it an increase in transport truck accidents. According to data compiled by the Ontario Provincial Police, there were a record number of highway collisions and fatalities in the province with 55 deaths in 7,674 collisions. As police continue their efforts to make Ontario roads safer, motorists need to become aware of the causes of transport truck accidents and what to do if they suffer injuries as a result of a collision.

Common causes of transport truck accidents

It might come as a surprise to learn that most truck accidents involving fatalities do not happen after dark and in inclement weather. Most of the collisions took place during daylight hours on dry roads when weather was not a factor.

Common causes of truck accidents according to studies by the Canadian government include the following:

• Lack of attention by the driver
• Driver fatigue
• Driver distraction
• Inability of a driver to perceive and react to a hazard or dangerous situation

Driver fatigue has been identified the cause of 30 percent of all truck accidents that resulted in a fatality. Other risky behaviours involving the manner of operation of a transport truck include violations of traffic laws, such as:

• Speeding
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Unsafe passing, including failing to signal or to check for other vehicles
• Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications

Improperly loaded cargo that shifts during transport may cause a driver to lose control over the vehicle. Failing to properly secure cargo carried on a flatbed may cause it to fall onto the road and cause other vehicles to crash.

Ontario addresses one of the causes of transport truck accidents

Fatigue affects the ability of drivers of all types of vehicles to remain attentive to road and traffic conditions and to react quickly to situations requiring braking or steering to avoid collisions. The size and weight of transport trucks make collisions caused by a fatigued driver even more deadly.

The provincial government in Ontario has implement regulations limiting the time drivers of trucks may spend behind the wheel in order to address the problem of driver fatigue. The regulations limit drivers to no more than 13 hours of driving time each day with at least 10 hours off duty each day. The maximum time a driver can be on duty during a day is 14 hours.

In order to make it possible to monitor driver compliance with the regulations designed to combat fatigue, Ontario requires that each driver maintain a daily log. The log can be a standard book in which the driver writes required information or it can be an electronic log kept on a computer or other electronic device. The log, regardless of its format, must be kept in the truck and made available for inspection by police or government officials on demand.

Dedicated Ontario personal injury lawyers

If you have been injured in an accident involving a transport truck, the personal injury lawyers at Diamond and Diamond offer their years of experience successfully handling claims for compensation on behalf of accident victims. Learn more about your rights against the driver and owner of the truck that caused the accident by speaking with one of our lawyers. Call the Diamond and Diamond 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit our website to speak to someone now. We have offices located throughout Ontario offering free consultations and case evaluations to injury victims and their families.