The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents and How to Prove Fault

Truck accidents are a serious concern on Central Washington roads, especially in areas like Yakima where major highways and agricultural traffic converge. Interstate 82 (I-82) runs through Yakima and sees heavy semi-truck traffic – more than the average amount of accidents occur on this stretch, many involving big rigs. Add in local farm trucks during harvest season and challenging winter weather, and the risk of collisions increases. If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident in the Yakima area, understanding what caused the crash and how to prove fault is crucial for pursuing compensation.

A heavily damaged semi-truck after a crash, illustrating the severe damage large trucks can cause. Truck crashes can be devastating due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 40 tons (80,000 lbs) – the equivalent of about 15 elephants – while a typical car weighs around 4,000–5,000 lbs (Yakima Truck Accident Lawyers: Only Pay When You Win). This huge disparity means that when a tractor-trailer collides with a smaller vehicle, the smaller vehicle’s occupants often suffer the most serious injuries.

Victims are left facing medical bills, vehicle damage, and life-changing injuries. Below, we explain the most common causes of truck accidents and what makes determining fault in these crashes so complex. We’ll also discuss the types of evidence needed to prove liability and why consulting an experienced Yakima truck accident attorney is so important.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Yakima

Truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons, but some causes come up again and again. Many crashes trace back to driver error or negligence, while others stem from mechanical problems or poor conditions. In Yakima, these general risk factors are often exacerbated by local conditions – from the busy truck traffic on I-82 to seasonal weather like winter ice or summer construction. Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents:

1. Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers often work long hours to meet tight deadlines. Driving while exhausted slows reaction times and impairs judgment. In fact, driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck crashes, and truckers who exceed federal hours-of-service limits put everyone at risk. 

2. Speeding and Reckless Driving

Due to their size, big rigs require more distance and time to stop. When a truck driver is speeding or driving aggressively, they might not be able to avoid a collision in sudden traffic slow-downs or if a hazard appears.

3. Distracted or Impaired Driving

Truckers spend long hours on the road, and distractions can creep in. Texting, eating, adjusting a GPS, or other distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road with deadly consequences. Likewise, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (even some prescription drugs) is a recipe for disaster. 

4. Poor Vehicle Maintenance and Equipment Failure

Big rigs log tens of thousands of miles and require diligent maintenance. If a trucking company or driver neglects inspections and upkeep, critical systems can fail. Blowouts, brake failures, and steering problems are common culprits in truck crashes.

5. Improper Loading of Cargo

How a trailer is loaded is critical to safe handling. Overloaded trailers or uneven weight distribution can make a truck prone to rollovers or jackknife accidents. If cargo isn’t secured, it might even spill onto the roadway. In one Yakima County incident, a semi hauling apples rolled and collided with another truck – an example of how shifting loads can lead to crashes.

6. Weather and Road Conditions

Not all truck crashes are due to driver fault – sometimes Mother Nature and road conditions play a role. Snow, ice, heavy rain, or fog common in Central Washington can create slick roads and poor visibility. If a truck driver doesn’t slow down for conditions, a wreck can easily occur. Driving too fast for weather conditions is a common cause of big truck accidents.

7. Blind Spots and Wide Turns

Large trucks have extensive blind spots (“no-zones” along the sides and rear). If a truck driver fails to check these areas, they may sideswipe a car when changing lanes. Similarly, making wide turns at Yakima’s city intersections can be perilous if the truck driver swings into oncoming lanes or sidewalks.

Challenges in Proving Fault in a Truck Accident

Identifying who is at fault in a truck accident can be much more complex than in a typical car crash. In a car-on-car fender bender, usually only the drivers of the vehicles are involved. In a commercial truck accident, there may be multiple parties who share responsibility, and each might try to point the finger at someone else. Experienced accident attorneys know that truck accidents rarely involve a single point of failure – drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, or even third-party maintenance crews can all play a role.

Here are some of the potential parties that could be liable after a semi-truck crash:

• The Truck Driver: If the driver was negligent (speeding, distracted, fatigued, etc.), they can be held responsible for causing the crash. For example, a drowsy driver who nods off or a trucker who runs a red light would clearly be at fault. Truck drivers must follow federal safety regulations and traffic laws; when they breach that duty and cause an accident, they are a central figure in any fault determination.
• The Trucking Company: Employers are often liable for their drivers’ actions under “respondeat superior” (since the driver is operating in the scope of their job). But a trucking company’s own negligence can also contribute. Did the company push the driver to meet an unrealistic deadline, leading to fatigue or speeding? Did they fail to train the driver properly or check their background? Perhaps the company skipped routine maintenance to keep the truck on the road longer. Trucking firms are required to maintain their fleets and ensure drivers comply with hours-of-service rules. If a company’s practices (or lack thereof) led to the wreck, the company can be at fault alongside the driver.
• Maintenance Providers or Mechanics: Sometimes trucking companies contract third-party mechanics or service centers to maintain their vehicles. If poor maintenance — like improperly installed brakes or failure to fix a known problem — causes an accident, that maintenance provider could share liability. For instance, if an independent garage certified a truck as safe when it actually had a brake defect, they could be on the hook if those brakes failed.
• Cargo Loaders or Shippers: If the truck’s cargo was loaded by a separate company (which is common in freight transport), that company might be liable for an accident caused by improper loading. Unbalanced or unsecured loads can lead to tip-overs or falling cargo. In a case where a truck’s load shifts and contributes to a crash, the investigation will scrutinize whoever loaded and secured that freight.
• Truck and Parts Manufacturers: Occasionally, a truck accident is traced to a defective part or design – for example, a tire blowout due to a manufacturing flaw or a braking system recall issue. In such cases, the manufacturer of the faulty component (or the truck itself) may bear responsibility for the accident. These product liability aspects are complex, but they cannot be overlooked when determining fault.

As an injured victim, you deserve to have someone in your corner doing the same. In the next section, we cover the kinds of evidence needed to prove fault in a truck accident case.

Key Evidence for Proving Fault in a Truck Accident

Building a strong case after a truck accident means gathering as much evidence as possible about what happened. Because multiple parties and factors may be involved, you need solid proof to pinpoint the cause of the crash and who was responsible. Here are some of the most important types of evidence that can help prove fault in a truck accident:

1. Electronic Data (Black Box & Logbooks)

Most commercial trucks are equipped with an “event data recorder” – commonly known as a black box – that records technical information about the truck’s operation. This can include speed, brake use, and engine data in the moments before a crash. Accessing the black box data can provide a factual picture of how fast the truck was going and whether the driver tried to brake. Additionally, modern trucks use electronic logbooks to track drivers’ hours.

These logs (or old-fashioned paper logbooks) show how long the driver was on duty and when they took breaks. They are crucial for uncovering hours-of-service violations or fatigue. If a trucker exceeded the legal driving hours, that log evidence helps prove they were too tired, bolstering a negligence claim. Driver cell phone records might also be examined to see if the driver was texting or calling at the time of the crash. This electronic evidence can be complex to obtain – often a trucking company won’t release it without a subpoena – but it can make or break a case.

2. Witness Statements and Police Reports

Neutral eyewitnesses who saw the accident play out can provide powerful testimony about what occurred. For example, another driver might report that the semi-truck was swerving between lanes before the crash, or that it ran a stop sign. Witness statements help corroborate your version of events and assign fault. Likewise, the official police accident report is key evidence. 

Officers in Yakima will typically investigate serious truck accidents; they document the scene, take photographs, note skid marks and vehicle positions, and often give an initial assessment of fault (for instance, citing a truck for speeding or improper lane change). The police report’s conclusions can carry weight with insurance companies and in court. Always call the police after a truck accident – not only for safety, but to ensure there’s an objective report of what happened.

3. Accident Scene Photos and Physical Evidence

Photographic evidence from the crash scene can be extremely valuable. Pictures of vehicle damage, skid marks, debris on the road, and the overall scene help accident experts piece together how the collision occurred. Skid marks can show whether the truck braked or swerved and how suddenly. Damage patterns on the car and truck can indicate the angle of impact and relative speeds. For instance, underride accidents (where a car ends up under the trailer) will have a distinct damage profile compared to a rear-end hit.

If you’re able, take photos at the scene or have someone do so – including wide shots of the intersection or highway, and close-ups of vehicle damage and any cargo that spilled. Physical evidence like a broken tie-down strap or a blown tire can later be examined to see if it failed due to negligence. All this scene evidence, preserved shortly after the crash, helps accident reconstructionists do their job.

4. Accident Reconstruction and Expert Analysis

In many truck accident cases, especially where fault is disputed, hiring an accident reconstruction expert can be immensely helpful. These experts (often engineers or former traffic investigators) will analyze all of the evidence – the vehicle damage, black box data, road marks, weather conditions, and more – to reconstruct how the crash likely happened. They might create diagrams or computer simulations to show the sequence of events.

For example, an expert can determine that based on the crash damage and stopping distances, the truck was going 70 MPH in a 55 zone at impact. They will also review technical data: a reconstructionist can download and interpret the truck’s black box, and examine maintenance records to see if a mechanical failure contributed. Their findings can establish specific driver errors (like not reacting in time or turning the wheel too sharply) and other contributing factors.

5. Maintenance and Company Records

It’s important to dig into the trucking company’s records during the investigation. Maintenance logs may show if the truck was behind on required repairs or had any recent fixes. For instance, if brake maintenance was skipped and brake failure occurred, that log is proof of the company’s negligence. Company hiring and training records could reveal if the driver was properly vetted and trained.

If the driver had prior accidents or citations, that could be relevant if the company hired them without proper screening. Dispatch logs or delivery schedules might show if the driver was being pressured to speed or skip rest breaks to meet a deadline. These behind-the-scenes records often require legal action to obtain, but they can uncover negligent practices that aren’t evident from the crash scene alone.

What You MUST Know

Keep in mind that evidence can disappear quickly after a truck accident. A truck’s black box data might be overwritten, or a trucking company might repair the vehicle (destroying evidence of mechanical issues) if not promptly notified to preserve it. This is one reason contacting an attorney soon after the accident is vital – they can send preservation letters to prevent evidence from being lost and can begin an immediate investigation on your behalf.

The Importance of an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

A truck accident injury claim is not a do-it-yourself project. Given the high stakes and complexity, consulting an experienced personal injury attorney is one of the most important steps you can take after tending to your immediate medical needs. An attorney who has handled truck accident cases in Yakima or Washington state will understand the nuances involved. Here’s why having legal guidance is so crucial:

• Handling Complex Investigations: Proving fault can require an in-depth investigation with multiple sources of evidence. An experienced lawyer knows how to obtain and analyze truck company records, driver logs, and black box data – and will coordinate with experts like accident reconstructionists as needed. They will also know the federal and state trucking regulations that might apply to your case (for example, hours-of-service rules, maintenance requirements, weight limits, etc.). This knowledge is essential to identify any violations by the driver or company that indicate negligence.
• Determining All Liable Parties: A lawyer will work to ensure that no potential defendant is overlooked. If the trucking company, a contractor, or another entity shares blame, your attorney will pursue claims against all of them. This is important because it maximizes your chances of full compensation – commercial insurers often have high policy limits, but they will fight hard, and you want every responsible party contributing their share.
• Dealing with Insurance Companies: In a truck accident, you might be dealing with a trucking company’s insurer, the truck driver’s insurer (if separate), and possibly other insurance carriers (e.g. a maintenance company’s insurer). These insurance companies handle claims like yours all the time and have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize payouts. It can be intimidating and frustrating to go up against them alone. An attorney levels the playing field.
• Navigating Washington Law and Procedure: Personal injury law has many procedural rules and deadlines. For example, Washington’s statute of limitations for injury claims means you have a limited time to file a lawsuit. A local Yakima attorney will ensure your case is filed on time and follows all legal requirements. They’ll also be familiar with the local court system and possibly even the common defense firms, which can help in strategizing your case.

The peace of mind that comes from knowing a professional is handling your claim can be invaluable. As one legal resource put it, seeking professional legal guidance is crucial to secure the compensation you may be entitled to. An attorney’s job is to advocate for your best interests, build the strongest case possible, and help you recover the financial compensation to which you’re entitled – for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

In short, you do not have to go through this alone. Trucking companies begin building a defense from day one – you should have a seasoned advocate building your case just as quickly.

Contact Us for a Free Truck Accident Consultation

Being injured in a truck accident is a traumatic experience, but you don’t have to fight for justice by yourself. Our experienced Yakima truck accident attorneys at Abeyta Nelson are here to help. We understand the local roads, the common causes of these devastating crashes, and how to hold all responsible parties accountable. Let us put our knowledge and resources to work for you while you focus on your recovery.

Call us at (509) 575-1588 to speak with an attorney who can help you pursue the compensation and justice you deserve. Don’t wait – the sooner you get legal help, the better protected your rights will be. We’re ready to stand by your side and fight for you every step of the way.