What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a tiny percent of the vehicles on road, but they can be dangerous and cause serious injury or even death. Accidents that involve large vehicles can be caused by drivers who are distracted or don't pay attention to their blind spots.
Accidents involving trucks can also be caused by fatigued drivers. truck accident attorneys work all day long, with no breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Driver error is the number one reason for trucking accidents, and it is a very serious problem. There are many causes that can lead to driver errors and it is crucial to know what causes these mistakes and how to prevent them from happening.
Inattention, carelessness, distraction and drowsiness are some of the most frequent mistakes made by drivers. These can be extremely dangerous, especially when combined with the dimensions of the truck.
For example, truck drivers often work long hours, but do not take enough time to rest. Truck drivers are frequently under pressure by their employers to deliver loads as quickly as they can. This could lead them to violate safety standards.
Another common driver error is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These drivers could cause serious car accidents and may even cause the death or injury of others.
Other driver mistakes include improper maintenance of vehicles and other components and defective components that could cause to a crash. These are all very important issues that should be addressed by trucking companies as soon as they can.
Trucking accidents are also triggered by weather conditions like rain or slick roads. Truck drivers must be cautious when they encounter such conditions and be aware of the consequences on their vehicles.
Recent research has revealed that truckers who don't perform these duties can be the cause of fatal crashes. It is therefore important for trucking companies to ensure that all employees follow these safety standards, so that they can protect their customers and themselves from dangerous accidents.
The study also revealed 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 aid in reducing the number of accidents that happen on the roads, and they can also help trucking companies discover ways to improve driver safety. Drivers that are susceptible to these kinds of errors can be identified, and the company is more likely to prepare them correctly so that they can avoid making mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Problems
While driver error is the primary cause of trucking accidents 10 percent of these incidents also involve mechanical malfunction. This makes it even important that truckers are aware of the parts of their vehicles that can fail.
State and federal laws require commercial trucking firms to regularly check, repair, and maintain their trucks. These inspections are necessary to prevent serious accidents that could cause serious injuries or even death.
Transmission, brakes, and tires systems are all essential for the safety of trucks. If they malfunction the driver could lose control of their vehicle and crash into other cars or pedestrians.
Blowouts, as well as other tire failures, are also common causes of trucking accidents. This is especially relevant in weather that is not ideal or on terrain that is uneven. They can cause jackknifes and swerves, which can lead to serious accidents.
The suspension and steering systems can have an impact on the safety of drivers. These systems could fail due to poor maintenance, heavy loads or other reasons.
In addition the fact that a truck isn't properly serviced or maintained on a regular basis the components may become worn out much faster than they are supposed to. If the engine of a truck is not maintained and inspected frequently, it could begin to malfunction before the driver even notices it.
The lighting system in a truck can also affect driver safety. These lights can malfunction or get damaged, making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
As the weather begins to get colder it is crucial for truckers to make sure that their vehicle's lights are in working order. This will help prevent accidents on roads covered in snow, rain or sleet.
Some truck lights fail due to faulty wiring or design imperfections. These problems can cause truck drivers to lose their visibility and miss a roadside danger. These issues can lead to fatal accidents, especially if a driver is tired or distracted.
Overloading
The overloaded trucks are an issue that can lead to many trucking accidents. It can result in many injuries and fatalities for other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks are more likely to overturn or be injured by jackknifing. This can result in catastrophic injuries for anyone who is on the road. Unsecured cargo may also spill out and cause other drivers to be hindered on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight restrictions on commercial vehicles to prevent accidents involving trucks. The weight limits are set to limit a truck's combined weight and gross axle weight.
A truck that is loaded is likely to have to brake and slow down more frequently to avoid an accident. The driver of a vehicle that is overloaded could also be less capable of steering which could result in an accident.
This type of trucking accident could be fatal for anyone driving particularly during a stormy rainstorm or in snowy conditions. The additional weight puts added stress on 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 tire blowout and loss of control.
Overloaded trucks may also show sudden, jerky movements as well as a trailer that is sagging or bent. It is essential to assess the load prior to removing the truck off the dock for loading.
There are a variety of reasons why trucks get loaded and overloaded, such as company owners who want to reduce costs by reducing the amount of time needed to transport their cargo. Overloaded trucks may also be caused by inexperienced or unskilled drivers.
Consult a lawyer if you or someone you care about was injured in an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can assist you to determine whether it is appropriate to make claims. This could be a good method of ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable for your losses and damages.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to jackknifing the road, causing severe injuries to accident victims. These kinds 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 cause destruction to passenger cars and private property.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can take to prevent these accidents from happening. First, if your home is in Hidalgo County or in the state of Texas and have suffered serious injuries as a result of a jackknife collision and you are eligible, you could be able to seek compensation for your losses with help by a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer.
Slowing down and allowing trucks plenty of room to brake will also assist drivers in avoiding jackknife collisions. This is especially crucial on roads that have a lot of ice or snow, or when they are wet.
Jackknife accidents can occur when commercial truck's brakes are locked up abruptly and the driver loses control of the vehicle. Drivers can be misinformed about the sharpness of a bend or drive too fast. This could cause the brakes lock up. The truck could jackknife if the trailer is being pushed to one side. This can cause damage to other vehicles.
Another common cause of jackknife accidents is a shift in the weight of the cargo inside the trailer of the truck. Professional loaders are careful when placing the cargo on their trailers to ensure that the trailer and truck maintain their balance. If the load shifts drastically the trailer could be out of balance and jackknife.
The driver of a trailer with a jackknife could lose control over the truck and its entire cargo. This can result in major injuries, and the need for urgent medical attention, as well as a substantial loss of wages or other compensation.
Despite the fact that a range of factors can cause trucks to jackknife the road, faulty road conditions are most likely to be the culprit. Rain, snow, road sprays, loose material from the engine of a truck and tire kickups are all environmental elements that can make the truck to lose control.