What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks are a small part of the vehicles that travel on the roads but they can be a source of serious injury or even death. Accidents involving large trucks may be caused by drivers who are distracted or fail to watch their blind spots.
Driver fatigue can also be a factor in trucking accidents. Drivers often work long hours with no breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Driver error is the primary reason behind trucking accidents and it's a serious issue. Driver error can be caused by a variety of factors. It is important to know the causes of this kind of error, and how to avoid it.
Inattention, carelessness, distraction and drowsiness are the most frequent mistakes that drivers make. These can be extremely risky, especially when they are combined with the enormous dimensions of a truck.
For example truck drivers work for long hours and do not get enough time for rest. Truck drivers are often under pressure from their employers to complete loads as fast as possible. This can lead them to violate safety standards.
Another mistake that people make is driving under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. These drivers could cause serious car crashes and even kill or hurt others.
Other driver mistakes can be caused by improper maintenance of vehicles and other parts as well as defective pieces that could cause a crash. All of these are serious issues that trucking companies should deal with immediately.
Trucking accidents can also be 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 will affect their vehicles.
A recent study found that truckers who fail to complete these tasks may be responsible for fatal crashes. It is vital that trucking companies make sure that their employees adhere to these safety standards so they can protect themselves and their customers from fatal accidents.
The study also revealed that certain drivers more likely to make these mistakes than others. This could be due to their lack of experience or education.
These findings can decrease the number of accidents on the road and also aid trucking companies in finding ways to improve the safety of drivers. Drivers that are susceptible to these types of errors can be identified, and the company will be more likely to prepare them correctly so they don't make these mistakes again in the future.
Mechanical Problems
While driver error is the most common reason behind trucking accidents 10 percent of these accidents also result from mechanical problems. This makes it more important that truck drivers are familiar with the parts of their vehicles that are prone to fail.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking firms to regularly inspect, repair, and maintain their trucks. These inspections are required to prevent catastrophic accidents that could cause catastrophic injuries or even death.
Transmission, brakes, and tire systems are all crucial to the safety of a truck. If they fail, a driver could lose control of their vehicle and crash into other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts, and other tire failures, are also common causes of trucking accidents. This is particularly relevant in weather that is not ideal or on terrain that is uneven. They can result in jackknifes or swerves that can cause serious crashes.
The steering and suspension systems can also have an impact on the safety of drivers. These systems may malfunction due to poor maintenance, heavy loads or other causes.
Additionally, if truck accident attorney near me isn't properly maintained or maintained on a regular basis the components may get worn out faster than they ought to. For example the transmission of a truck isn't checked or maintained on a frequent basis the transmission could start to break down and stop before the driver realizes it.
The lighting system in truck's lighting system can also affect 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 check their vehicle's lighting before the weather begins to cool. This will help prevent accidents when the road is covered with snow or rain, or even sleet.
In some cases the truck's lights may be damaged due to wiring issues or design flaws. These issues can cause drivers to lose visibility and miss hazards on the roadside. These issues can result in deadly accidents, particularly when drivers are tired or distracted by other things.
Overloading
The overloaded trucks are an issue that can lead to many trucking accidents. It can cause many injuries and fatalities for other motorists.
Overloaded trucks are more likely to tip over or get jackknifed. This could result in catastrophic injuries for anyone who is driving. Additionally, cargo that is not secured properly may 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. These limits limit a truck's gross combination weight and gross axle weight.
If a truck is loaded 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 may also be less in a position to steer which could result in a crash.
This kind of trucking crash can be deadly for anyone driving and is especially dangerous in a heavy rainstorm or in snowy conditions. The extra weight also adds stress to the brakes and other parts of the truck, which causes them to wear more quickly.
Tire blowouts could also be an indication of an overloaded vehicle. The additional weight puts the tires under stress, resulting in a blowout of the tire and loss of control.
Other indicators that a truck is overloaded include sudden jerking movements and bowing or sagging in the trailer. It is important to inspect the load prior to moving the vehicle off of the loading dock.
Overloaded trucks could be the result of many factors, including the desire of business owners to save money through decreasing the time required to move cargo. Inexperienced or untrained drivers can also lead to overloaded trucks.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by an overloaded truck, it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer to determine if it is appropriate to make a claim. This is an effective method of ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable for your losses and damages.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks may jackknife and cause catastrophic injuries to accident victims. These kinds of accidents involving trucks happen more frequently than you imagine, since trucks can weigh 80,000 pounds and possess the capability of swinging the trailer up to 28 feet at speeds that could destroy private property and even passenger cars.
There are many ways to avoid these accidents. If you live in Hidalgo county or in the state of Texas and have suffered serious injuries in an accident with a jackknife, then you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries by working with an experienced trucking injury lawyer.
In addition, slowing down and giving trucks ample space to brake will help drivers avoid jackknife crashes. This is particularly important when roads are wet, icy or have lots of ice and snow on them.
Accidents involving jackknife can occur when commercial truck's brakes suddenly lock and the driver loses control of the vehicle. For example, a driver might not be aware of a sharp turn and speed up and the brakes lock up. The truck may then jackknife, as the trailer moves out towards one side or the other, causing damage to other vehicles in the vicinity.
Another reason for jackknife accidents is a shift in the weight of the cargo inside the truck's trailer. Experienced loaders carefully place cargo inside their trailers to ensure that the trailer and the truck maintain their balance. If the load is moved dramatically the trailer may become unstable and jackknife.
The driver of a trailer that is been jackknifed could lose control of his truck and the cargo. This could cause serious injuries and require intensive medical attention and also a significant loss of wages or other compensation.
There are a myriad of reasons that can cause a vehicle to jackknife itself, the most frequent cause is the result of poor road conditions. Rain, snow, ice, road spray, loose substances from the engine of the truck, tire kickup, and a variety of other environmental factors can all reduce the road's traction and cause a truck to lose control.