What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a tiny portion of the vehicles on road, but they can be extremely dangerous and cause serious injury or even death. Accidents involving large trucks can occur when drivers are distracted or do not pay attention to their blind areas.
Driver fatigue can also cause trucking accidents. They often work long hours without rest breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Driver error is the number one reason behind trucking accidents and it's a serious issue. There are a myriad of causes that can lead to driver errors and it is essential to know the cause of these errors and how to avoid them.
The most frequent mistakes made by drivers include carelessness, inattention distraction, and sleepiness. These types of issues can be extremely hazardous, particularly when they are combined together with the massive size and weight of a truck.
For instance truck drivers typically work long hours, but do not take enough rest. They are often under pressure to get loads to their destinations as fast as possible, and this can cause them to ignore safety standards.
Another frequent error of drivers is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers who suffer from these kinds of issues can be the cause of serious car accidents, and could even cause death or injury to other people.
Other mistakes made by drivers include inadequate maintenance of vehicles and other parts and defective parts that could cause a crash. These are all extremely serious problems and should be addressed by trucking companies as soon as possible.
Trucking accidents can also be caused by weather conditions, such as rain or slippery roads. Truck drivers must slow down when they encounter these conditions and be aware of the consequences on their vehicles.
A recent study showed that truckers who do not complete these tasks may be the cause of fatal accidents. It is therefore crucial for trucking companies to ensure that their employees follow these safety standards, so that they can protect their clients and themselves from dangers.
The study also found some drivers are more likely to make these errors than others. This could be due to their lack of experience or education.
These findings could reduce the number or crashes on the roads, and can also help trucking companies find ways to improve the safety of their drivers. The company can spot drivers who are vulnerable to these kinds of mistakes and teach them how to avoid errors in the future.
Mechanical Issues
While driver errors are the leading cause of trucking accidents 10 percent of these incidents also involve mechanical malfunction. This makes it important that truckers are aware of the parts of their vehicles that may fail.
Federal and state laws oblige commercial trucking companies to regularly check, repair, and maintain their trucks. These inspections are required to prevent catastrophic accidents that could cause serious injuries or even death.
The three systems are essential to the safety of a truck. If they malfunction, the driver may lose control of their vehicle and collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts, as well as other tire failures are also a typical cause of trucking accidents especially in bad weather conditions or when the terrain is uneven. They can result in jackknifes or swerves that can cause serious accidents.
The suspension and steering systems can have an impact on the safety of the driver. These systems can malfunction as due to improper maintenance, overloaded or other reasons.
If a truck's components aren't maintained or serviced regularly, they may wear out much faster than anticipated. For example, if a truck's transmission isn't examined or serviced regularly the transmission could start to fail and then stall before the driver is aware of it.
The lighting system in trucks can also impact the safety of drivers. The lights could malfunction or get damaged causing other drivers to be unable or unable to see the truck and its contents.
As the weather begins to get colder, it is important for truckers and drivers to ensure that their vehicles' lights are in working order. This will reduce the risk of accidents if the road is covered in snow, rain or even sleet.
Some truck lights may fail due to defective wiring or design defects. These problems can cause drivers to lose sight of the road and miss a hazard on the the road. These issues can cause fatal accidents, especially when a driver is tired or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading of trucks is an extremely serious issue that is the cause of many trucking accidents. This can cause serious injuries and even death to other drivers on the road.
Overloaded trucks are more likely to overturn or get jackknifed. This can cause devastating injuries for anyone who is on the road. Unsecured cargo can also spill out and cause other drivers to be blocked on the road.
To avoid trucking accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration imposed strict weight limitations on commercial trucks. These limits limit a truck's gross combination weight as well as its gross axle weight.
A truck that is loaded will have to brake and slow down more often to avoid a collision. The driver of a vehicle that is overloaded might also be less able to steer and could cause an accident.
The type of trucking accident can be fatal to anyone on the road particularly in heavy rain or during snowy conditions. The extra weight adds stress on the brakes, and other parts of a truck. This results in them wearing out more quickly.
Tire blowouts are also an indication of an overloaded vehicle. The extra weight puts the tires under stress, resulting in a tire blowout as well as loss of control.
Other indicators that a truck is overloaded include sudden, movement that jerks, and bowing or sagging of the trailer. It is important to look over the load before moving the vehicle off of the dock.
There are a number of reasons why trucks become overloaded and overloaded, such as company owners who wish to reduce costs by reducing the amount of time required to transport their cargo. Overloaded trucks can also be caused by inexperienced or untrained drivers.
Consider consulting a lawyer if or someone you love is injured as a result of an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can assist you to determine if it is appropriate to make an claim. This is an effective method of ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable for the damages and losses you suffered.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to jackknifing in causing devastating injuries to victims of accidents. These kinds of accidents involving trucks happen more frequently than you think, as trucks can weigh 80,000 pounds and have the capability to swing a trailer with a length of 28 feet at speeds that can cause destruction to the private property of people and vehicles.
There are a lot of things you can do to prevent these accidents from occurring. If you live in Hidalgo County or the state of Texas and have suffered a serious injuries in a jackknife incident you might be able to seek compensation for your losses by seeking help from a seasoned trucking accident lawyer.
Drivers are able to avoid jackknife-related accidents by taking the time to slow down and allow trucks ample space to stop. This is especially important on roads with lots of ice, snow, or when they are wet.
Accidents involving jackknife can occur when commercial truck's brakes suddenly lock and the driver loses control of the vehicle. For instance, a driver may mistakenly judge a sharp curve and go too fast and the brakes lock up. The truck could jackknife if the trailer is being pushed to one side. This could cause damage to other vehicles.
Another common cause of jackknife accidents is a shift in the weight of the cargo in the trailer of the truck. greensboro truck accident attorney pack cargo into their trailers so that the truck and its trailer remain balanced. If the load shifts dramatically, it can make the trailer out of balance and cause it to jackknife.
The driver of a trailer with a jackknife could lose control over the trailer and its entire cargo. This could cause serious injuries and the need for extensive medical attention, in addition to a substantial loss of wages or other compensation.
While a variety of causes can cause a truck to jackknife, the main and frequent cause is poor road conditions. Road sprays, loose materials from the engine of a truck and tire kickups are all environmental factors that can cause an automobile to lose control.