What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks are a small part of the vehicles on the road but they can result in serious injuries or death. Accidents involving large vehicles may happen when drivers are distracted or do not pay attention to their blind spots.
Trucking accidents can also be caused by fatigued drivers. Drivers often work long hours, without breaks, to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Trucking accidents are the result of driver error which is a grave issue. There are a myriad of causes that can lead to driver error and it is vital to know what causes these mistakes and how to prevent them from happening.
Inattention, carelessness, distraction and drowsiness are among the most common errors made by drivers. These can be extremely dangerous, especially when combined with the huge size and weight of trucks.
Truck drivers, for example frequently work long hours and do not get enough rest. They are often pressured to get loads to their destinations as fast as possible, and this can lead them to not adhere to safety regulations.
Another mistake that people make is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These drivers could cause serious car accidents and even kill or injure others.
Other driver mistakes include improper maintenance of vehicles and other components and defective components that could cause to a crash. These are all extremely serious issues and must be addressed by trucking companies as quickly as possible.
Trucking accidents are also caused by weather conditions like rain or slick roads. Truck drivers are required to slow down when they encounter these conditions, and they must be aware of how these conditions affect their vehicles.
Recent research has revealed that truckers who do not perform these tasks to perform can be responsible of fatal crashes. It is therefore important for trucking companies to ensure that their employees adhere to these safety standards in order to protect their customers as well as themselves from these dangerous accidents.
The study also found that some drivers are more likely to make these errors than others. This could be due to their lack of experience or education.
These findings can help reduce the number or crashes on the road and also aid trucking companies in figuring out ways to increase the safety of drivers. The company can spot drivers who are vulnerable to these kinds of mistakes and teach them how to avoid making mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Issues
Mechanical failure is a major cause of 10% of trucking accidents. This makes it all the more vital for truck drivers to be aware of all of the components that could be damaged in their vehicles.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking companies to check, repair and maintain their trucks on a regular basis. If these inspections are not conducted, drivers and cargos could be at risk of a serious accident that can cause severe injuries or even fatalities.
All three systems are crucial to the safety of a truck. If they malfunction the driver may lose control of their vehicle and hit other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts and other tire failures are also a frequent cause of trucking accidents especially in bad weather conditions or when the terrain is uneven. They can result in accidents involving jackknifes, swerves, or jack cause serious accidents.
The suspension and steering systems can have an impact on the driver's safety. These systems may malfunction because of poor maintenance, excessive load or other causes.
If a truck's components aren't maintained or serviced regularly, they will get worn out more quickly than what is expected. If the engine of a truck is not inspected and serviced regularly, it may begin to fail before the driver even realizes it.
The lighting system in trucks can also affect the safety of drivers. These lights could fail or be damaged, which causes other drivers to be unable to see the truck and its contents.
The truckers should be checking their vehicle's lighting before the weather starts to cool. This will prevent accidents when the road is covered in rain, snow, or sleet.
A few truck lights could malfunction due to wiring issues or design faults. These problems can cause truck drivers to lose their focus and overlook a roadside hazard. These issues can cause fatal accidents, especially when a driver is tired or distracted.
Overloading
The overloaded trucks are an extremely serious issue that leads to numerous trucking accidents. This can cause serious injuries and even death for other drivers on the road.
Overloaded trucks are at a greater risk chance of falling over or being jackknifed. This could cause severe injury to anyone walking on the road. Unsecured cargo may also spill out and cause other drivers to become blocked on the road.
To prevent accidents involving trucks, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration set strict weight limits for commercial trucks. The weight limits are set to limit a truck's combined weight and gross axle weight.
If a truck is overloaded and it is overloaded, it will have to slow down and brake more often to avoid an accident with another vehicle. The driver of a truck that is overloaded may also be less in a position to steer which could lead to an accident.
This type of trucking crash can be fatal, particularly when it happens during an intense downpour or snowy conditions. The extra weight puts additional stress on the brakes and other parts of a truck. This causes them to wear more quickly.
Tire blowouts could also be a sign of an overloaded vehicle. This is because the extra weight pushes the tires to their limits, which causes a blowout and a loss of control.
Overloaded trucks can also show rapid, jerky movements or a trailer that is sagging or bending. It is important to inspect the load prior to moving the vehicle off the dock to load.
Overloaded trucks can be caused by many factors, including the need of business owners to save money by reducing the time needed to move cargo. Overloaded trucks may also be caused by inexperienced or unskilled drivers.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by an overloaded vehicle, you should consult with a lawyer to determine whether it is appropriate to file a claim. This can be a good method of ensuring that the responsible parties are accountable for the damage and losses.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to jackknife and cause catastrophic injuries to those who suffer from accidents. These types of accidents involving trucks happen more frequently than you imagine, since trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and have the capability to swing an oversized trailer of 28 feet at speeds that could cause damage to private property and passenger vehicles.
There are a myriad of ways to prevent these truck accidents. First, if you live in Hidalgo County or the state of Texas and have sustained a serious injuries as a result of a jackknife collision, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses through assistance from an experienced trucking accident lawyer.
Slowing down and giving trucks plenty of room to stop will also ensure that drivers aren't involved in jackknife-related crashes. This is particularly 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 could lose control of the vehicle. A driver may misjudgment a sharp curve and drive too fast. This can cause the brakes to shut down. The truck could jackknife if the trailer is moved to one side. This could cause damage to other vehicles.
A shift in the weight of the cargo within the trailer of the truck is another common cause for a jackknife collision. Professional loaders are able to load their trailers with cargo to ensure that the truck and its trailer remain in balance. However, if the load shifts drastically it could cause the trailer shift out of balance and cause it to jackknife.
commercial truck lawyer of a trailer that is jackknifed may lose control of his truck and its cargo. This could lead to serious injuries, the need for extensive medical treatment, and even the loss of earnings.
While a variety of causes can cause a truck to jackknife but the most frequent cause is the result of poor road conditions. Road sprays, loose components from a truck's engine and tire kickup are all elements that can make a truck to lose control.