What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a tiny percent of the vehicles on road however, they are extremely hazardous and cause severe injury or death. Accidents involving large trucks can be caused by drivers who are distracted or fail to watch their blind areas.
Driver fatigue can also be a factor in trucking accidents. Drivers often work all day long, with no breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Trucking accidents are the result of driver error which is a significant issue. There are a myriad of reasons that could contribute to driver error and it is vital to know what causes these errors and how to avoid them.
Inattention, distraction, carelessness and drowsiness are the top common errors that drivers make. These issues can be extremely dangerous, particularly when paired with the enormous size and weight of trucks.
Truck drivers, for example are often working for long hours and don't get enough rest. They are often pressured to get loads to their destinations as quick as possible, and this can cause them to ignore safety standards.
Another mistake that is common is driving while under the effects of alcohol or drugs. Drivers who have these types of problems can cause serious car accidents, and they could even cause death or injury to other people.
Other driver errors include improper maintenance of the vehicle and other components, as well as malfunctioning parts that could lead to an accident. truck accident law firm are all extremely serious issues that must be addressed by trucking companies as soon as possible.
Trucking accidents are also caused by weather conditions like rain or slick roads. Truck drivers must slow down when they encounter these conditions and be aware of the effects on their vehicles.
Recent research has found that truckers who fail these duties can be at fault for fatal crashes. Therefore, it is essential for trucking companies to ensure that all employees adhere to these safety standards in order to protect their customers and themselves from dangers.
The study also revealed that some drivers are more likely to make these errors than others. This could be due to the fact that they are less experienced or have a lower level of education or experience.
These findings can help decrease the number of accidents that happen on the road. They could also help trucking companies discover ways to increase safety for drivers. The company can identify drivers who are prone for these kinds of errors and train them to avoid mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Issues
While driver error is the main cause of trucking accidents, 10 percent of these incidents also involve mechanical issues. This makes it even more vital that truck drivers are familiar with the parts of their vehicles that are prone to fail.
State and federal laws require commercial trucking firms to regularly inspect, repair, and maintain their trucks. These inspections are required to avoid serious accidents that could cause catastrophic injuries or even death.
The transmission, brakes and tires systems are all crucial for the safety of trucks. If they fail an driver could lose control of their vehicle and hit other vehicles or pedestrians.
Tire failures, including blowouts, 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 collisions or swerves which could result in serious crashes.
The steering and suspension systems can affect the driver's safety. These systems may fail as a the result of poor maintenance, heavy load or other issues.
If the components of a truck are not serviced or maintained regularly, they will wear out much faster than you would expect. For example when a truck's transmission isn't inspected or serviced frequently, it may begin to break down and stall before the driver realizes it.
The lighting system in a truck can also affect the safety of the driver. These lights can malfunction or be damaged, causing other drivers to be unable or unable to see the truck and its contents.
As the weather starts to get colder it is vital for truckers and drivers to ensure that their vehicles' lights are functioning properly. This will prevent accidents when the roads are covered by rain, snow or sleet.
Some truck lights malfunction due to wiring issues or design imperfections. These problems can cause truck drivers to lose their vigilance and miss a roadside danger. These issues can also lead to deadly accidents, particularly if the driver is tired or distracted by other issues.
Overloading
Overloading trucks can be a serious issue that causes a lot of accidents that involve trucks. This can result in serious injuries, and even death for other drivers on the road.
Overloaded trucks are more likely to overturn or get jackknifed. This can result in devastating injuries for anyone who is driving. Also, cargo that's not secured properly can be thrown out of the vehicle and obstruct other drivers on the road.
To avoid trucking accidents to prevent trucking accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight limits on commercial trucks. The limits limit a truck's gross combination weight and gross axle weight.
A truck that is loaded will need to stop and slow down more frequently to avoid an accident. A truck driver who is loaded might be less able than usual to steer the vehicle and this could lead to an accident.
This kind of trucking accident could be fatal for anyone who is on the road particularly during a stormy rainstorm or during snowy conditions. The additional weight also adds stress to the brakes and other components of the truck, which causes them to wear faster.
Tire blowouts are also an indication of an overloaded vehicle. This is because the added weight strains the tires to their limits, leading to a blowout and a loss of control.
Other signs that a truck is overloaded include sudden, jerking movements and bowing or sagging in the trailer. It is important to inspect the load prior moving the vehicle off the dock.
Overloaded trucks are often the result of a variety of factors, such as the desire of business owners to save money through reducing the time needed to move cargo. Untrained or inexperienced drivers could cause overloaded trucks.
Consider consulting a lawyer if or someone you love has been injured by an accident caused by an overloaded vehicle. They can help you determine whether it is appropriate to make claims. This can be a good way to ensure the responsible parties are held accountable for your losses and damage.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to jackknifing, causing catastrophic injuries to victims of accidents. These types of trucking accidents happen more frequently than you think, as trucks weigh up to 80,000 lbs and have the capacity to swing an oversized trailer of 28 feet at speeds that can destroy private property and passenger vehicles.
There are many ways to avoid these accidents. First, if you live in Hidalgo County or the state of Texas and have suffered serious injury in a jackknife accident, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses, with assistance from an experienced trucking accident lawyer.
Drivers can also avoid jackknife collisions by making sure to slow down and give trucks ample space for braking. This is particularly important on roads with a lot of ice or snow, or when they are wet.
Accidents that involve a Jackknife occur when a commercial truck's brakes lock up suddenly and the driver loses control of the vehicle. For example, a driver might misjudge a sharp curve and accelerate too fast and the brakes lock up. The truck may then jackknife when the trailer moves out towards one side or the other and cause damage to other vehicles in the area.
Another reason for jackknife accidents is a shift in the weight of the cargo inside the trailer of the truck. Experienced loaders carefully place cargo in their trailers to ensure that the trailer and truck remain in balance. If the load shifts dramatically the trailer could be out of balance and jackknife.
The driver of a truck that is jackknifed could lose control of the vehicle and its cargo. This could lead to serious injuries, the need for extensive medical attention and a loss of wages.
While a variety of causes can cause a truck to jackknife, the most common cause is faulty road conditions. Ice, snow, rain road spray, loose substances from the engine of the truck tire kickup, and a variety of other environmental factors can reduce the road's traction and cause a truck to lose control.