What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a tiny percentage of vehicles on the road however, they can be extremely dangerous and cause serious injury or even death. Accidents involving large trucks can be caused by drivers who are distracted or fail to look in their blind spots.
Trucking accidents can also be caused by driver fatigue. These drivers typically work for long hours without rest breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Accidents involving trucks are caused by driver error which is a major problem. There are a myriad of reasons that could contribute to driver error, and it is important to know the cause of these mistakes and how to prevent them from happening.
Carelessness, distraction, inattention and drowsiness are the most common errors that drivers make. These types of issues can be dangerous, particularly when paired with the massive dimensions of the truck.
For instance, truck drivers often work for long hours without getting enough rest. They are often under pressure to get their loads to their destinations as fast as possible, and this can cause them to ignore safety regulations.
Another mistake that is common is driving under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. These drivers can cause serious car crashes and even kill or hurt others.
Other mistakes made by drivers include inadequate maintenance of vehicles and other components as well as damaged parts that could lead a crash. All of these are serious issues that trucking companies should deal with as soon as they can.
Trucking accidents can also be caused by weather conditions, such as rain or slick 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 showed that truckers who fail to complete these tasks may be at fault for fatal crashes. It is vital that trucking companies make sure that their employees adhere to these safety standards in order they can protect themselves and their customers from these deadly accidents.
The study also revealed that certain drivers are more prone to commit these errors than others. This could be due to their lower level of experience or education.
These findings can decrease the number of crashes on the roads, and can also help trucking companies find ways to improve the safety of their drivers. Drivers who are susceptible to these types of errors are identified and the company is more likely to educate them in a way they don't make these mistakes in the near future.
Mechanical Issues
Mechanical failure is the main cause of 10 percent of trucking accidents. This makes it all the more important for truckers to be aware of all of the components that could malfunction in their vehicles.
State and federal laws oblige commercial trucking companies to regularly inspect, repair, and maintain their trucks. These inspections are required to prevent catastrophic accidents that could cause serious injuries or even death.
The transmission, brakes and tires systems are all crucial to a truck's safety. If trucking accidents attorneys fail the driver may lose control of their vehicle and smash into other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts, as well as other tire failures are also common causes of trucking accidents. This is especially the case in severe weather or on uneven terrain. They can lead to accidents involving jackknifes, swerves, or jack cause serious crashes.
Other truck components that can impact on driver safety include suspension and steering systems. These systems can fail because of poor maintenance, overloaded load or other reasons.
Additionally, if a truck isn't properly serviced or maintained on a regular basis, its components can be damaged more quickly than they should. If a truck's engine is not maintained and inspected regularly, it could start to malfunction before the driver is aware of it.
The lighting system of trucks can also affect the safety of drivers. The lights may malfunction or become damaged making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
As the weather begins to cool down it is vital for truckers to check that their vehicle's lights are in working order. This can prevent accidents when the road is covered with snow or rain, or even sleet.
Certain truck lights can be damaged due to faulty wiring or design faults. These problems can cause a truck driver to lose their vigilance and miss a roadside danger. These issues can cause fatal accidents, especially if the driver is tired or distracted by other factors.
Overloading
Overloading trucks is an important issue that causes a lot of trucking accidents. It can cause a wide range of accidents and fatalities for other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks are more likely to roll over or be injured by jackknifing. This can cause devastating injuries for anyone traveling on the roads. Additionally, cargo that is not properly secured can be thrown out of the vehicle, causing obstruction to other drivers on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight restrictions on commercial trucks in order to avoid accidents involving trucks. These limits limit the truck's gross combined weight and gross axle weight.
A truck that is overloaded will require braking and slow down more often to avoid a collision. The driver of a truck that is overloaded may also be less in a position to steer, which can lead to an accident.
This type of trucking crash can be fatal, particularly when it occurs during the midst of a torrential downpour or snowy conditions. The additional weight puts added stress on the brakes as well as other parts of the truck, causing them to wear out faster.
Tire blowouts could also be an indication of an overloaded vehicle. This is due to the fact that the additional weight strains the tires to their limits, leading to the blowout and loss of control.
Overloaded trucks may also exhibit sudden, jerky movements as well as a trailer that is sagging or bending. It is essential to assess the load before moving the truck off the dock.
There are a variety of reasons why trucks get loaded such as business owners who wish to reduce their expenses by reducing amount of time needed to transport their cargo. Drivers who aren't experienced or trained can cause overloaded trucks.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident caused by an overloaded truck, you should consult a lawyer to determine if it is appropriate to make a claim. This could be a good method of ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable for your losses and damages.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks have the potential to explode and cause severe injuries to victims of accidents. These trucking accidents are more frequent than you imagine. Trucks can weigh up to 85,000 pounds and swing a trailer of 28 feet at speeds that can cause damage to private property and passenger cars.
Fortunately, there are numerous things that you can do to stop these trucking accidents from happening. If you live in Hidalgo County or in the state of Texas and have suffered a severe injuries in a jackknife crash and you are eligible, you could be able to seek compensation for your losses, with assistance from an experienced trucking accident lawyer.
Drivers can also avoid jackknife accidents by taking the time to slow down and allow trucks plenty of room to brake. This is especially important when roads are icy, wet, or have a lot of ice and snow on them.
If the brakes of commercial trucks fail suddenly, the driver can lose control of the vehicle. For instance, a driver could mistakenly judge a sharp curve and go too fast and cause the brakes to stop. The truck could jackknife if the trailer is being pushed to one side. This can cause damage to other vehicles.
A shift in the weight of the cargo inside the trailer of the truck is another common cause for a jackknife collision. Experienced loaders carefully place cargo inside their trailers to ensure that the trailer and the truck keep their balance. If the load shifts drastically this could cause the trailer out of balance and cause it to jackknife.
The driver of a trailer that is been jackknifed could lose control of his vehicle and cargo. This could result in serious injuries as well as the need for expensive medical treatment and the loss of earnings.
Despite the fact that a range of factors can cause trucks to jackknife on the road, bad road conditions are likely to be responsible. Ice, snow, rain road spray, loose material from the engine of the truck tire kickup, and other environmental factors can all affect the traction of the road and cause a truck to lose control.