What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks are only a small percentage of the vehicles that travel on the roads but they can result in serious injuries or death. Accidents involving large vehicles could be caused by drivers who are distracted or fail to pay attention to their blind spots.
Driver fatigue can also cause trucking accidents. They often work long hours with no breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Accidents involving trucks are caused by driver error, which is a serious problem. There are a myriad of factors that can contribute to driver errors, and it is important to understand what causes these mistakes and how to avoid them.
Inattention, carelessness, distraction and drowsiness are the top frequent mistakes made by drivers. These issues can be very dangerous, especially when combined with the enormous dimensions of a truck.
For example truck drivers typically work for long hours and do not get enough rest. They are often under pressure to get their loads to their destinations as quick as possible, and this could lead them to disregard safety standards.
Another common error made by drivers is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These drivers can cause serious car crashes and may even cause the death or injury of others.
Other driver mistakes include improper maintenance of vehicles and other parts as well as damaged parts which could result in a crash. These are all serious issues and must be addressed by trucking companies as soon as possible.
In addition to these errors Trucking accidents may also be caused by weather conditions, like rain or slick roads. Truck drivers are required to slow down when they encounter these conditions and they must be aware of how these conditions affect their vehicles.
A recent study revealed that truckers who fail to complete these tasks may be the cause of fatal crashes. It is therefore important for trucking companies to ensure that their employees adhere to these safety guidelines in order to protect their customers and themselves from dangerous accidents.
The study also found that certain drivers are more likely to commit these errors than others. This could be due to the fact that they have a lower level of education or experience.
These findings can reduce the number of accidents on the road as well as help trucking firms find ways to improve the safety of drivers. The company can spot drivers that are prone to mistakes like these and help them avoid them in the future.
Mechanical Issues
While driver errors are the main cause of trucking accidents 10 percent of these incidents also result from mechanical problems. This makes it all the more important for truck drivers to be aware of the components that could fail in their vehicles.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking companies to regularly inspect, repair and maintain their trucks. Without these inspections, truck drivers and cargos could be at risk of a serious accident that can cause catastrophic injuries, or even fatalities.
Each of these systems is essential to the safety of a truck wreck attorneys. If they malfunction, a driver could lose control of their vehicle and crash into other vehicles, or pedestrians.
Blowouts and other tire problems, are also common causes of trucking accidents. This is especially the case in severe weather or on terrain that is uneven. They can trigger jackknifes as well as swerves, which can result in serious accidents.
The suspension and steering systems can have an impact on the safety of drivers. These systems could fail because of improper maintenance, heavy loads or other causes.
In addition when a truck isn't properly serviced or maintained regularly the components may become worn out much faster than they are supposed to. If a truck's engine is not inspected and serviced regularly, it could start to malfunction before the driver even realizes it.
The lighting system of trucks can also impact driver safety. The lights may malfunction or become damaged, making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
Truckers should examine their vehicles' lighting when the weather turns cooler. This will help prevent accidents when the road is covered with snow or rain, or even sleet.
In some instances, a truck's lights can be damaged due to wiring issues or design faults. These problems can cause drivers to lose visibility and miss a hazard on the the road. These issues can also cause fatal accidents, especially if the driver is tired or distracted by other things.
Overloading
The overloaded trucks are an issue that can lead to many trucking accidents. It can result in numerous accidents and fatalities for other motorists.
Overloaded trucks are at a greater risk chance of falling over or becoming jackknifed, which can cause serious injury to anyone on the roadway. Additionally, cargo that's not properly secured can be thrown out of the vehicle and obstruct other drivers on the road.
To prevent trucking accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration imposed strict weight limitations on commercial trucks. These limits limit the truck's gross axle weight and gross combination weight.
If a vehicle is overloaded and is unable to handle the load, it must slow down and brake more often to avoid a collision with another vehicle. The driver of a truck with a heavy load could also be less able to steer, which can lead to a crash.
The type of trucking accident can be fatal for anyone driving, especially when it occurs in heavy rain or during snowy conditions. The extra weight also puts extra stress on the brakes and other components of the truck, which causes them to wear more quickly.
Tire blowouts are a common indication of an overloaded semi truck lawyers (you can try here). This is because the added weight stretches the tires to their limits, leading to the blowout and loss of control.
Other indicators that a vehicle is loaded too much include sudden, shaking movements, sagging or bowing in the trailer. It is important to look over the load prior moving the vehicle off of the dock to load.
There are many reasons that trucks get overloaded for instance, business owners who wish to reduce their expenses by reducing amount of time needed for transporting cargo. Overloaded trucks could also be caused by untrained or inexperienced drivers.
Contact a lawyer truck accident if you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can help you determine if it is appropriate to file a claim. This could be a good method to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for the damages and losses you have suffered.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are likely to strike a jackknife, causing catastrophic injuries to victims of accidents. These accidents involving trucks are more common than you imagine. Trucks can weigh as much as 85,000 pounds and transport a trailer as long as 28 feet at speeds that could cause destruction to private property and even passenger vehicles.
Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to prevent these trucking accidents from occurring. If you live in Hidalgo County or the state of Texas and have suffered a serious injuries in a jackknife crash and you are eligible, you could be able to seek compensation for your losses by seeking help from an experienced trucking accident lawyer.
The slowing down of trucks and giving them ample space to stop will also aid drivers in avoiding jackknife accidents. This is especially important on roads that are wet, icy or have a lot of snow and ice on them.
Accidents that involve a Jackknife occur when commercial truck accident lawyers truck's brakes are locked up abruptly and the driver loses control of the vehicle. For instance, a driver could make a mistake when judging a sharp curve, and drive too fast and cause the brakes to stop. The truck could be jackknifed if the trailer is pulled to one side. This can cause damage to other vehicles.
Another reason for the jackknife accident is a shift in weight of the cargo inside the trailer of the truck. Expert loaders take care when placing the cargo on their trailers to ensure that the trailer and the truck keep their balance. However, if the load shifts in a drastic manner this could cause the trailer out of balance and cause jackknife.
The driver of a truck that has been jackknifed could lose control of his vehicle and cargo. This can result in serious injuries and the need for extensive medical care and a loss of wages.
Although a variety of factors can cause a truck to jackknife, the main and common cause is faulty road conditions. Rain, snow, road sprays, loose components from the truck's engine and tire kickup are all environmental factors that can cause the truck to lose control.