What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks comprise a tiny portion of the vehicles on the road but they can be a source of serious injury or even death. Accidents involving large trucks can happen when drivers are distracted or fail to watch their blind spots.
Driver fatigue can also cause trucking accidents. Drivers often work long hours with no breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Trucking accidents are the result of driver error, which is a serious issue. There are a myriad of reasons that could contribute to driver errors and it is essential to understand the causes of these errors and how to prevent them from happening.
The most frequent mistakes made by drivers include carelessness, inattention, distraction, and drowsiness. These types of issues can be extremely risky, especially when they are paired with the huge size and weight of the truck.
Truck drivers, for example frequently work for long hours and don't get enough rest. Truck drivers are frequently under pressure from their employers to complete loads as fast as they can. This can cause them to obstruct safety rules.
Another frequent mistake is driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs. Drivers who suffer from these kinds of issues could cause serious accidents in the car, and may even kill or injure other motorists.
Other driver mistakes can be caused by improper maintenance of vehicles and other parts as well as damaged parts that could cause a crash. These are all very serious issues that must be addressed by
Trucking accident lawyers near me companies as soon as they can.
Trucking accidents are also caused by weather conditions like rain or slippery roads. Truck drivers must slow down when they encounter these conditions, and they must be aware of how the conditions can affect their vehicles.
A recent study revealed that truckers who fail to do these tasks can be the cause of fatal crashes. Therefore, it is essential for trucking companies to ensure that all employees adhere to these safety standards to protect their customers and themselves from dangers.
The study also revealed that some drivers are more prone to commit these errors than others. This could be due to their lack of education or experience.
These findings can help reduce the number or crashes on the roads and also help trucking companies find ways to increase the safety of their drivers. Drivers who are susceptible to these kinds of mistakes can be identified, and the company is more likely train them properly so that they do not make these mistakes again in the future.
Mechanical Issues
While driver error is the main cause of trucking accidents 10 percent of these accidents also involve mechanical failure. This makes it more vital for truck drivers to be aware of the parts that can go wrong in their vehicles.
Federal and state law requires that commercial trucking companies inspect repair and maintain their trucks regularly. If these inspections are not conducted, drivers and cargos could be at risk of serious accident that can cause severe injuries or even death.
The transmission, brakes and tires systems are all critical to the safety of a truck. If they fail the driver could lose control of their vehicle and crash into cars or pedestrians.
Blowouts and other tire problems are also a frequent reason for trucking accidents, especially in bad weather conditions or when the terrain is uneven. They can cause crashes or swerves that could cause serious accidents.
The steering and suspension systems can also affect the driver's safety. These systems may fail as a because of inadequate maintenance, heavy load or other reasons.
Additionally, if a truck isn't maintained or maintained regularly and its components be damaged more quickly than they ought to. For instance the transmission of a truck isn't inspected or serviced regularly the transmission could start to fail and eventually stall before the driver knows it.
The lighting system in trucks can also impact the safety of the driver. These lights can fail or become damaged which makes it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
Truckers should inspect their vehicle's lights as the temperature begins to cool. This will prevent accidents when the road is covered with snow or rain, or even sleet.
Some truck lights may be damaged due to faulty wiring or design imperfections. These issues can cause a truck driver to lose their visibility and miss a roadside danger. These issues can lead to deadly accidents, especially if the driver is fatigued or distracted by other causes.
Overloading
Overloading trucks is a serious issue that leads to many trucking accidents. This can result in serious injuries, and even death to other drivers on the road.
Overloaded trucks are more likely to overturn or get jackknifed. This can cause catastrophic injuries for anyone who is on the road. Furthermore, cargo that is not secured properly could spill out of the vehicle, causing obstruction to other drivers on the road.
To avoid trucking accidents to prevent trucking accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration imposed strict weight limitations on commercial trucks. These limits restrict the truck's gross axle weight and its combined weight.
If a truck is loaded it will have to slow down and brake more frequently to avoid an accident with another vehicle. A
truck accidents attorney driver who is overloaded might be less able than usual to control the vehicle and could result in an accident.
The type of trucking accident could be fatal for any motorist, especially when it occurs in a severe rainstorm or during snowy conditions. The extra weight also puts extra stress on the brakes and other components of the truck, causing them to wear more quickly.
Tire blowouts could also be an indication of an overloaded vehicle. The reason for this is that the extra weight puts the tires at their limits, leading to an explosion and a loss of control.
Overloaded trucks may also show sudden, jerky movements as well as a trailer that is bent or sagging. It is crucial to examine the load prior to removing the truck off the dock for loading.
There are many reasons why trucks are overloaded such as business owners who want to save money by reducing amount of time needed to transport their cargo. Inexperienced or untrained drivers can cause overloaded trucks.
Consider consulting a lawyer if or someone you care about has been injured in an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can assist you to determine if it is appropriate to file a claim. This is a great way to ensure that the responsible parties are held liable for the damages and losses you suffered.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to jackknifing the road, causing severe injuries to victims of accidents. These trucking accidents are more frequent than you imagine. Trucks can weigh as much as 80 tons, and transport a trailer as long as 28 feet at speeds that could destroy private property as well as passenger vehicles.
There are a variety of ways to avoid these accidents. If you reside in Hidalgo county or the state of Texas and have suffered serious injuries in a jackknife crash, you could be able to claim compensation for your losses through a skilled trucking injury lawyer.
The slowing down of trucks and giving them plenty of room to stop will also help drivers avoid jackknife crashes. This is especially crucial on roads that are icy, wet or have lots of ice and snow on the roads.
Accidents that involve a Jackknife occur when a commercial truck's brakes suddenly lock and the driver loses control of the vehicle. For example, a driver might mistakenly judge a sharp curve and accelerate too fast and the brakes to become locked. The truck could then jackknife while the trailer moves out to one side or other, causing damage to other vehicles in the vicinity.
A shift in the weight of the cargo within the trailer of the truck is a common cause of a jackknife accident. Expert loaders take care when placing cargo in their trailers to ensure that the trailer and the
truck accident lawyers near me maintain their balance. If the load shifts dramatically the trailer could be out of balance and even jackknife.
The driver of a
semi truck wreck lawyer that has been jackknifed could lose control of his vehicle and cargo. This can lead to serious injuries, the need
lawyers for truck drivers extensive medical treatment, and even the loss of wages.
Although a variety of factors can cause a vehicle to jackknife itself, the most common cause is due to poor road conditions. Rain, snow, ice, road spray, loose material from the engine of the truck, tire kickup, and many other environmental factors can reduce traction on the roadway and cause a truck to lose control.