Navigating the Road to Safety: Avoiding Truck and Transport Accidents

Transport truck accidents on Ontario highways are a major cause for concern. With the amount of traffic on our roads, especially in populated areas, it's no surprise that these types of collisions can occur. Unfortunately, large commercial vehicles, such as transport trucks, can cause serious harm when involved in an accident due to their size and weight. From minor fender-benders to fatal crashes, understanding the potential hazards is essential for any driver who shares the road with these large trucks. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at common causes of truck and transport accidents, including rear end collisions and serious accidents, in Ontario, and explore some ways to stay safe while travelling alongside these large commercial vehicles. If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, it's important to understand the damages available, including wrongful death claims, to truck accident victims in Ontario. These damages can include economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering. By understanding your rights and the potential damages available, you can take the necessary steps to seek justice and compensation for your injuries, including wrongful death claims for the loss of a loved one. If you are in need of legal assistance, do not hesitate to contact an experienced truck accident attorney to guide you through the process and fight for your rights.

Prevelance of transport & Truck Accidents in Ontario

According to data from the Ministry of Transportation in Ontario, transport truck accidents are on the rise. In 2019 alone, there were over 13,000 collisions involving large commercial trucks, resulting in over 3,500 injuries including spinal cord injuries and 40 fatalities. This represents a 5% increase compared to 2018, when there were 12,515 transport truck collisions resulting in 3,227 injuries including spinal cord injuries and 39 fatalities. Unfortunately, these numbers show that transport trucks remain a major source of danger on Ontario roads, with spinal cord injuries being one of the most common and severe injuries.

common causes of transport truck accidents

Transport truck accidents are a serious issue, and understanding their most common causes is an important step toward preventing them. The majority of transport truck accidents are caused by human error, specifically driver negligence. This includes common factors such as driver fatigue due to long hours behind the wheel, poor decision-making due to distraction or haste, and inadequate training or experience on the driver's part. In addition, environmental conditions such as bad weather and road conditions can also play a role in transport truck accidents. For example, slippery roads in cold climates can increase the likelihood of jackknifing or skidding, as well as sleep deprivation from long hours on the road. Sleep deprivation is a common cause of accidents, as truck drivers often have to work long hours and may not get enough rest between shifts.

Another common cause of transport truck accidents is mechanical failure. Malfunctioning brakes or steering systems can lead to uncontrollable vehicles on the highway, and tires that have not been properly maintained may be more prone to blowouts at high speeds. Poorly maintained roads are also a hazard when it comes to mechanical failure; potholes and other damage may go unnoticed until they cause sudden swerving or tire blowouts.

Finally, traffic violations are another major factor contributing to transport truck accidents. Drivers who fail to obey speed limits or engage in risky behaviours such as tailgating or lane-changing without signalling can create hazardous situations on crowded highways. Aggressive driving practices can also increase the risk of collisions between trucks and passenger vehicles on busy roads, highlighting the unique challenges and regulations faced by the trucking industry. In fact, collisions involving transport trucks and passenger vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities, due to the significant size and weight difference between the two types of vehicles. The legal framework surrounding trucking accidents and catastrophic injuries is complex and requires the expertise of experienced lawyers, such as those at WVGB Injury Lawyers.

By understanding these common causes of transport truck accidents, such as negligent drivers and defective auto parts, we can take steps toward reducing their frequency and severity. By encouraging drivers to follow safety protocols and maintain their vehicles, providing up-to-date training for new drivers, supporting environmental initiatives that prioritize safe driving conditions, and ensuring strict enforcement of traffic laws, we can make our roads safer for everyone involved, including holding trucking companies accountable for their role in ensuring safe vehicles and drivers. In the unfortunate event of a truck crash, it is important to retain the appropriate accident reconstructionist to thoroughly investigate the accident scene and gather all necessary evidence for a successful resolution.

How to Prevent Truck & Transport Accidents on our Ontario Highways

One of the most important strategies for avoiding collisions with transport trucks on highways is to anticipate the truck’s movements. Transport trucks are much larger than regular vehicles, so they have much more difficulty maneuvering and turning corners. As a result, they often need to slow down or change lanes in order to make tight turns or maneuver around traffic. Paying attention to the truck's speed and distance ahead can give drivers ample time to react and avoid an unexpected collision.

Another tip is to keep enough distance between your vehicle and the truck. Transport trucks have large blind spots that make it difficult for drivers in smaller cars to be seen by the driver of the truck. Allowing extra room between your vehicle and the truck can help prevent a collision should an unexpected turn or lane change happen suddenly. 

Finally, be aware of pavement markings and other vehicles when driving near transport trucks on highways. Many roads will have special lanes for large vehicles like transport trucks that regular drivers need to stay out of. In addition, when merging onto highways, always give large vehicles like transport trucks plenty of room by looking further down the road before merging into traffic flow. 



By following these tips, regular drivers can significantly reduce their chances of being involved in a collision with a transport truck on our highways.Finally, having more visible signs along highways that inform both truckers and other motorists about when certain lanes need to merge or when exits are coming up will also help reduce risks associated with transportation trucks on highways. By providing both truckers and motorists with adequate warning about upcoming changes in lane patterns or speed limits will allow them to make necessary adjustments earlier rather than later which could potentially lower crash rates along highways significantly.