What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks are only a small percentage of the vehicles that travel on the roads but they can cause serious injuries or even death. Accidents involving large vehicles can occur when drivers become distracted or fail to look out for their blind spots.
Accidents involving trucks can also be caused by driver fatigue. They work all day, without any rest breaks in order to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Trucking accidents are caused by driver error which is a grave issue. There are many factors that can contribute to driver errors, and it is important to understand what causes these errors and how to avoid them.
Distraction, carelessness, inattention and drowsiness are among the most common errors that drivers make. These problems can be extremely hazardous, particularly when they are paired with the massive dimensions of trucks.
Truck drivers, for instance are often working for long hours and don't get enough rest. They are often pressured to get their loads to their destinations as fast as they can, and this can lead them to not adhere to safety standards.
Another common driver error is driving while under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drivers with these kinds of issues could cause serious accidents in their vehicles, and might even kill or injure others.
Other driver errors include improper maintenance of the vehicle and other components and defective components that could result in the possibility of a crash. These are all extremely serious issues and must be addressed by trucking companies as quickly as possible.
Additionally to these mistakes, 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 will affect their vehicles.
Recent research has found that truckers who don't perform the required tasks can be the cause of fatal crashes. It is vital for trucking companies to ensure that their employees adhere to these safety standards in order they can protect themselves and their customers from fatal accidents.
The study also found that some drivers are more likely to make these mistakes than others. This could be due to their lower level of experience or education.
These findings can help decrease the number of crashes on the road, and can also assist trucking companies find ways to improve safety for drivers. The company can identify drivers who are vulnerable to these kinds of mistakes and teach them how to avoid making errors in the future.
Mechanical Problems
While driver errors are the main cause of trucking accidents, 10 percent of these incidents also involve mechanical malfunction. This makes it more important for truckers to be knowledgeable of the parts that can fail in their vehicles.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking companies to inspect repair and maintain their trucks on a regular basis. Without these inspections, truck drivers and cargos may be at risk of a serious accident that could lead to catastrophic injuries or even fatalities.
The transmission, brakes and tires systems are all essential for the safety of trucks. If they fail the driver could lose control of their vehicle and collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts and other tire failures are also a frequent reason for trucking accidents, especially in bad weather conditions or when the terrain is uneven. They can lead to jackknifes or swerves, which can result in serious accidents.
Other components of a truck that can impact on safety of the driver include steering and suspension systems. They can malfunction because of poor maintenance, a heavy load or other factors.
In addition the fact that a truck is not properly serviced or maintained regularly, its components can wear down much faster than they should. If a truck's engine is not maintained and inspected frequently, it could begin to malfunction before the driver realizes it.
Another issue that can affect driver safety is the lighting system on trucks. 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 turn colder It is essential for truckers and drivers to ensure that their vehicle's lights are in working order. This will prevent accidents in the event that the road is covered with snow, rain or even sleet.
In certain situations, a truck's lights can be damaged due to wiring issues or design faults. These issues can cause drivers to lose their vision and miss a hazard on the roadside. These issues can cause fatal accidents, particularly when a driver is tired or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading trucks is a major problem that causes many accidents involving trucks. This can cause serious injuries, and even death for other drivers on the road.
Overloaded trucks have a higher chance of falling over or being jackknifed. This could cause severe injury to anyone on the roadway. Unsecured cargo may spill out and cause other drivers to become obstructed on the road.
To avoid trucking accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration set strict weight limits for commercial trucks. The limits limit a truck's gross combined weight and gross axle weight.
A truck that is loaded is likely to have to brake and slow down more often to avoid an accident. The driver of a vehicle that is overloaded may also be less capable of steering which could result in a crash.
This kind of trucking accident can be deadly, especially in the event of an intense downpour or conditions of snow. The extra weight also adds stress to the brakes and other parts of the truck, causing them to wear more quickly.
Tire blowouts could also be a sign of an overloaded vehicle. The added weight puts tires under strain, which can result in a tire blowout and loss of control.
Other indicators that a truck is laden with too much are sudden, jerking movements and sagging or bowing in the trailer. It is crucial to inspect the load before moving the truck off the dock.
There are many reasons why trucks are overloaded and overloaded, such as company owners who wish to reduce their expenses by reducing amount of time required to transport cargo. Overloaded trucks may also be caused by untrained or inexperienced drivers.
Contact a lawyer if you or someone you love has been injured in an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can assist you to determine whether it is appropriate to file a claim. This can be a good way to ensure the responsible parties are accountable for your losses and damage.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks may jackknife the road, causing severe injuries to accident victims. These accidents involving trucks are more common than you think. Trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, and can swing a trailer of 28 feet at speeds that can destroy private property as well as passenger vehicles.
There are a myriad of ways to prevent these truck accidents. If you live in Hidalgo county or the state of Texas and you've suffered serious injuries in an accident involving a jackknife, you may be able claim compensation for your injuries by working with an experienced trucking injury lawyer.
The slowing down of trucks and giving them plenty of space to brake can aid drivers in avoiding jackknife accidents. This is especially important on roads that are wet, icy or have lots of snow and ice on the roads.
If the brakes of commercial trucks stop working suddenly, the driver can lose control of the vehicle. A driver may misjudgment a sharp bend and drive too fast. This could cause the brakes to lock up. The truck may then jackknife as the trailer shifts to one side or the other, causing damage to other vehicles in the vicinity.
A shift in the cargo's weight inside the trailer of the truck is a common cause for a jackknife collision. Loaders who are experienced carefully load cargo into their trailers to ensure that the truck and its trailer are in a balanced position. However, if the load shifts significantly this could cause the trailer shift out of balance and jackknife.
The driver of a trailer with a jackknife may lose control of the truck and all its cargo. atlanta truck accident lawyer could result in serious injuries and the need for urgent medical attention, and also a significant loss of wages or other compensation.
Although a variety of factors can cause a vehicle to jackknife itself, the most common cause is due to poor road conditions. Rain, snow, road sprays, loose material from a truck's engine and tire kickups are just a few of the environmental factors that can cause an automobile to lose control.