What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a small portion of the vehicles on the road but they can cause serious injury or even death. Accidents involving large vehicles could result when drivers are distracted or do not pay attention to their blind areas.
Accidents involving trucks can also be caused by fatigued drivers. They 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 grave problem. There are many causes that can lead to driver errors, and it is important to understand the causes of these errors and how to avoid them.
Carelessness, distraction, inattention and drowsiness are some of the most common errors made by drivers. These issues can be extremely hazardous, particularly when they are combined with the huge size and weight of the truck.
For example truck drivers typically work for long hours and do not get enough time for rest. They are often pressured to get their loads to their destinations as quickly as possible, and this can lead them into ignoring safety standards.
Another mistake that is common is driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs. Drivers with these kinds of issues could cause serious accidents in their vehicles, and could even kill or hurt others.
Other driver mistakes can be caused by improper maintenance of vehicles and other components and defective components that could cause a crash. All of these are serious truck accident attorney problems that trucking companies should take care of immediately.
In addition to these blunders trucking accidents can also be caused by weather conditions, such as slippery roads or rain. Truck drivers are required to slow down when they encounter these conditions, and they must be aware of how the conditions can affect their vehicles.
A recent study found that truckers who fail to fulfill these duties could be responsible for fatal crashes. It is therefore crucial for trucking companies to ensure that all employees follow these safety standards so that they can protect their customers as well as themselves from these dangers.
The study also showed that some drivers are more likely to make these mistakes than others. This could be due to the fact that they have a lower degree of education or experience.
These findings can help reduce the number of crashes that occur on the road, and can also assist trucking companies identify ways to improve safety for drivers. The company can spot drivers who are vulnerable to these kinds of errors and train them to avoid making mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Issues
Mechanical failure is a major cause of 10 percent of trucking-related accidents. This makes it all the more important for truck drivers to be aware of the components that could malfunction in their vehicles.
State and federal laws require that commercial trucking firms to inspect repair and maintain their vehicles regularly. These inspections are essential to prevent serious accidents that can cause catastrophic injuries or even death.
Tires, brakes and transmission systems are all crucial for the safety of trucks. 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 common reason for trucking accidents, especially in bad weather conditions or when the terrain is uneven. They can lead to jackknifes or swerves that can cause serious accidents.
The steering and suspension systems can affect the safety of the driver. They can malfunction because of poor maintenance, overloaded load or other causes.
If the components of a truck aren't maintained and serviced regularly, they can become worn out faster than what is expected. For instance, if a truck's transmission isn't inspected or serviced on a frequent basis the transmission could start to fail and eventually stall before the driver even realizes it.
Another issue that can affect driver safety is the lighting system on trucks. These lights can fail or be damaged making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
As the weather begins to turn colder it is vital for truckers to check that their vehicle's lights are working properly. This will reduce the risk of accidents when the road is covered in rain, snow, or sleet.
In some instances the truck wreck attorney's lights may be damaged due to wiring issues or design imperfections. These issues could cause truck drivers to lose their visibility and miss a roadside danger. These issues can lead to fatal accidents, particularly when a driver is fatigued or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading of trucks is a serious problem that causes numerous trucking accidents. This can result in serious injuries, and even death to other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks have a higher risk of rolling over or becoming jackknifed, which can cause catastrophic injury to anyone on the roadway. Unsecured cargo may spill out and cause other drivers to become obstructed on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight restrictions on commercial trucks to prevent trucking accidents. These limits restrict the truck's gross axle weight as well as its gross combination weight.
If a truck is laden it will have to slow down and brake more frequently to avoid a collision with another vehicle. The driver of a truck that is overloaded might also be less in a position to steer which could result in an accident.
This kind of trucking crash could be fatal for anyone on the road, especially when it occurs during a stormy rainstorm or during snowy conditions. The extra weight places additional stress on the brakes and other components of the truck. This causes them to wear faster.
Tire blowouts are another typical sign of a truck that is overloaded. This is because the extra weight strains the tires to their limits, leading to a blowout and a loss of control.
Overloaded trucks may also show sudden, jerky movements or a trailer that is bent or sagging. It is crucial to inspect the load before moving the truck from the dock.
Overloaded trucks could be the result of many factors, including the need of business owners to save money by reducing the time needed to transport their cargo. Overloaded trucks could also be caused by inexperienced or untrained drivers.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by an overloaded truck, you must consult with a lawyer to determine if it is appropriate to submit an insurance claim. This is a great way to ensure that responsible parties are held accountable for the losses and damages you sustained.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks can be jackknifed in causing devastating injuries to accident victims. These accidents involving trucks are more common than you imagine. Trucks can weigh up to an 80,000-pound weight, and transport a trailer as long as 28 feet at speeds that can destroy private property and passenger vehicles.
There are a myriad of things you can do to avoid these accidents. If you live in Hidalgo county or in the state of Texas, and you have suffered serious truck crash attorney injuries in the event of a jackknife collision, you may be able claim compensation for your loss through a skilled trucking injury lawyer.
Drivers can also avoid jackknife accidents 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 if they are wet.
Accidents involving jackknife can happen when commercial trucks' brakes suddenly lock and the driver loses control of the vehicle. For instance, a driver may make a mistake when judging a sharp curve, and speed up and the brakes to lock up. The Semi truck wreck Lawyer might then jackknife, as the trailer moves out to one side or the other, causing damage to other vehicles in the area.
Another reason that causes the jackknife accident is a shift in the weight of the cargo in the truck's trailer. Professional loaders are careful when placing the cargo on their trailers to ensure that the truck and trailer maintain their balance. If the load shifts significantly this could cause the trailer move out of balance and cause it to jackknife.
The driver of a truck that is jackknifed may lose control of the trailer and its entire cargo. This can result in serious injuries, the need for extensive medical treatment, and even the loss of earnings.
While a variety of causes can cause a vehicle to jackknife itself, the most frequent cause is poor road conditions. Rain, snow, ice road spray, loose substances from the truck crash attorney's engine tire kickup, and other environmental factors can reduce traction on the roadway and cause a truck to lose control.