What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks are a small part of the vehicles that travel on the roads but they can cause serious injuries or death. Accidents involving large vehicles may result when drivers are distracted or fail to look out for their blind areas.
Trucking accidents can be the result of driver fatigue. Drivers often work long hours without rest breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Trucking accidents are caused by driver error, which is a serious issue. Driver errors can be caused by a number of reasons. It is essential to know the causes of this type of error and how to avoid it.
Inattention, distraction, carelessness and drowsiness are the top common errors made by drivers. These problems can be extremely hazardous, particularly when they are paired with the huge size of trucks.
For instance truck drivers are often working for long hours and do not get enough time for rest. They are often under pressure to get loads to their destinations as quick as they can, and this can lead them to not adhere to safety regulations.
Another common driver error is driving while under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. These drivers could cause serious car accidents and even kill or hurt others.
Other mistakes made by drivers include inadequate maintenance of vehicles and other components and defective parts that could lead to a crash. All of these are serious problems that trucking companies need to take care of immediately.
Trucking accidents are also caused by weather conditions such as rain or slippery roads.
truck lawyers drivers should slow down when they encounter such conditions and be aware of the effects on their vehicles.
A recent study has revealed that truckers who do not do these tasks can be the cause of fatal accidents. It is crucial that trucking companies ensure that their employees adhere to these safety standards in order that they can shield themselves and their customers from these fatal accidents.
The study also revealed that certain drivers are more prone to make these mistakes than others. This could be due to their lower level of education or experience.
These findings can help reduce the number of accidents that happen on the road, and can also aid trucking companies discover ways to increase safety for drivers. Drivers that are susceptible to these kinds of mistakes can be identified and the company is more likely educate them in a way that they do not make these mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Issues
Mechanical failure is a factor in 10 percent of trucking-related accidents. This makes it more important that truck drivers are aware of the components of their vehicles that are prone to fail.
Federal and state law requires that commercial trucking companies to check, repair and maintain their trucks regularly. Without these inspections drivers and cargos may be at risk of a serious accident that can lead to catastrophic injuries or even fatalities.
Each of these systems is essential to the safety of trucks. If they malfunction the driver may lose control of their car and crash into other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts and other tire failures are also a common cause of trucking accidents, especially in weather conditions that are harsh or when the terrain is uneven. They can lead to jackknifes or swerves that can cause serious accidents.
Other components of a truck that can have an impact on safety of the driver include suspension and steering systems. They can malfunction due to improper maintenance, overloaded load or other reasons.
If a truck's components aren't maintained and serviced regularly, they can get worn out more quickly than anticipated.
attorneys for truckers example that if the transmission isn't checked or maintained regularly then it could begin to break down and stall before the driver is aware of it.
The lighting system in truck's lighting system can also affect the safety of drivers. These lights can malfunction or become damaged making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
As the weather starts to cool down, it is important
lawyers for truckers truckers and drivers to ensure that their vehicle's lights are functioning properly. This can prevent accidents if the road is covered in snow or rain, or even sleet.
In some cases, a truck's lights can fail due to faulty wiring or design flaws. These issues can cause a truck driver to lose their vigilance and miss a roadside hazard. These issues can cause fatal accidents, particularly when drivers are tired or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading trucks can be a serious problem that causes many accidents involving trucks. This can result in serious injuries, and even death to other drivers on the road.
Overloaded trucks run the likelihood of colliding with each other or being jackknifed. This can cause catastrophic injury to anyone walking on the road. Also, cargo that's not secured properly could escape from the vehicle and obstruct other drivers on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set weight limits on commercial trucks in order to avoid accidents involving trucks. The limits restrict the truck's gross axle weight as well as its gross combination weight.
If a truck is loaded, it will need to slow down and brake more often to avoid an accident with another vehicle. A truck driver who's overloaded may be less able than normally to control the vehicle and this could lead to an accident.
This type of trucking crash could be fatal, especially if it occurs during an extreme downpour or snowy conditions. The additional weight also puts extra stress on the brakes and other components of the truck, which causes them to wear more quickly.
Tire blowouts are yet another common symptom of an overloaded truck. This is because the extra weight stretches the tires to their limits, leading to the blowout and loss of control.
Other indicators that a truck is laden with too much are sudden, jerking movements and bowing or sagging on the trailer. It is essential to assess the load before moving the truck off the dock for loading.
There are a number of reasons that trucks get overloaded such as business owners who want to save money by reducing amount of time needed for transporting cargo. Untrained or inexperienced drivers can cause overloaded trucks.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by an overloaded vehicle, you should consult with a lawyer to determine whether it is appropriate to file an insurance claim. This can be a good way to ensure that the responsible parties are accountable for the damages and losses you have suffered.
Jackknife Accidents
commercial trucking
attorneys for truckers (
www.hondacityclub.com) trucks are likely to strike a jackknife, causing catastrophic injuries to those who suffer from accidents. These trucking accidents are more common than you think. Trucks can weigh as much as an 80,000-pound weight, and carry a trailer that spans 28 feet at speeds that can cause destruction to private property and even passenger cars.
There are a variety of things you can do to avoid these trucking accidents. If you live in Hidalgo County or the state of Texas and have suffered a serious injury in a jackknife accident, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your losses, with assistance from an experienced trucking accident lawyer.
Slowing down and giving trucks plenty of room to stop will also ensure that drivers aren't involved in jackknife-related crashes. This is particularly important when roads are wet, icy or have lots of snow and ice on the roads.
If the brakes of a commercial truck lock up suddenly, the driver could lose control of the vehicle. For example, a driver might make a mistake when judging a sharp curve, and accelerate too fast which causes the brakes to stop. The truck could then jackknife as the trailer shifts to one side or the other and cause damage to other vehicles in the area.
Another reason that causes jackknife accidents is a shift in the weight of the cargo in the truck's trailer. Professional loaders are able to take their cargo off their trailers to ensure that the truck and its trailer remain balanced. However, if the load shifts dramatically it could make the trailer out of balance and cause it to jackknife.
The driver of a trailer that has an jackknifed cylinder could lose control over his truck and its cargo. This could lead to serious injuries, and the need for urgent medical attention, in addition to a substantial loss of wages or other compensation.
While a variety of causes can cause a vehicle to jackknife but the most common cause is due to poor road conditions. Road sprays, loose material from a truck's engine and tire kickups are all environmental elements that can make a truck lose control.