What Causes Trucking Accidents?
semi truck accident attorneys near me comprise a small percent of the vehicles on road, but they can be extremely dangerous and cause severe injuries or even death. Accidents involving large trucks could result when drivers are distracted or fail to pay attention to their blind areas.
Driver fatigue is also a factor in trucking accidents. These drivers work all day, without any rest breaks in order to meet their daily quotas.
Driver Error
Trucking accidents 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 errors and how to avoid them.
The most frequent driver mistakes are carelessness, inattention distraction and drowsiness. These can be extremely risky, especially when they are paired together with the massive size and weight of a truck.
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 quickly as possible, and this can lead them to not adhere to safety standards.
Another frequent mistake is driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs. These drivers could cause serious car crashes and even kill or harm others.
Other driver mistakes can be caused by improper maintenance of vehicles and other parts as well as defective pieces which could result in to a crash. These are all very serious issues and must be addressed by trucking companies as soon as possible.
Trucking accidents are also triggered by weather conditions, such as rain or slippery roads. Truck drivers are required to slow down when they encounter these conditions, and they should be aware of how these conditions can affect their vehicles.
Recent research has found that truckers who do not complete these tasks to perform can be the cause of fatal crashes. Therefore, it is crucial for trucking companies to ensure that all employees comply with these safety standards in order to protect their clients and themselves from dangerous accidents.
The study also revealed that certain 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 crashes that occur on the road, and they could also help trucking companies to increase safety for drivers. The company can identify drivers that are prone to these kinds of mistakes and train them to avoid making mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Issues
Mechanical failure is a factor in 10 percent of trucking accidents. This makes it more important for truck drivers to be aware of all of the components that could malfunction in their vehicles.
State and federal laws require commercial trucking companies to regularly check, repair, and maintain their trucks. If these inspections are not conducted, drivers and cargos may be at risk of serious accident that could cause catastrophic injuries, or even fatalities.
All three systems are vital to the safety of the truck. If they malfunction an driver could lose control of their vehicle and crash into other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts and other tire problems are also a frequent cause of trucking accidents especially in bad weather conditions or when the terrain is uneven. They can result in jackknifes and swerves, which can lead to serious accidents.
The steering and suspension systems can also have an impact on the safety of the driver. These systems can fail as a the result of poor maintenance, excessive load or other causes.
Additionally that, if a vehicle is not properly serviced or maintained on a regular basis, its components can become worn out much faster than they ought to. For instance that if the transmission isn't inspected or serviced frequently, it may begin to fail and eventually stall before the driver realizes it.
Another factor that could compromise driver safety is the lighting system that comes on trucks. The lights could malfunction or become damaged, making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
As the weather starts to turn colder it is crucial for truckers to check that their vehicles' lights are in working order. This will help to prevent accidents when the roads are covered in rain, snow, or sleet.
A few truck lights could malfunction due to wiring issues or design faults. These issues could cause truck drivers to lose their vision and miss a roadside hazard. These issues can cause fatal accidents, particularly when drivers are tired or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading of trucks is a serious problem that causes many trucking accidents. This can cause serious injuries and even death to other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks are at a greater risk chance of falling over or becoming jackknifed, which can cause catastrophic injury to any person on the road. Furthermore, cargo that is not secured properly can escape from the vehicle, causing obstruction to other drivers on the road.
To avoid trucking accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration set strict weight limits for commercial trucks. These limits limit a truck's gross combination weight and gross axle weight.
A truck that is loaded will need to stop and slow down more frequently in order to avoid an accident. The driver of a truck that is overloaded may also be less in a position to steer which could lead to a crash.
This kind of trucking accident can be deadly for anyone driving and is especially dangerous in heavy rain or during snowy conditions. The added weight adds stress to the brakes as well as other parts of the truck, causing them to wear faster.
Tire blowouts are also an indication of an overloaded vehicle. The added weight puts the tires under pressure, resulting in a tire blowout and loss of control.
Overloaded trucks may also exhibit sudden, jerky movements as well as a trailer that is bent or sagging. It is crucial to inspect the load prior to removing the truck off the loading dock.
Overloaded trucks could be the result of many factors, including the need of business owners to save money by cutting down on the time required to transport cargo. Untrained or inexperienced drivers can also lead to overloaded trucks.
Get a lawyer involved if you or someone you care about is injured as a result of an accident caused by an overloaded vehicle. They can assist you determine if it is appropriate to file an claim. This could be a great method of ensuring that the responsible parties are accountable for your losses and damage.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks may jackknife in causing devastating injuries to victims of accidents. These trucking accidents are more frequent than you think. Trucks can weigh as much as 80 tons, and carry a trailer that spans 28 feet at speeds that could destroy private property as well as passenger cars.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can take to prevent these trucking accidents from happening. If you live in Hidalgo county or in the state of Texas and have suffered serious injuries in an accident with a jackknife, then you may be able to get compensation for your loss through a skilled trucking injury lawyer.
Slowing down and giving trucks plenty of space to brake can aid drivers in avoiding jackknife accidents. This is particularly crucial on roads that are icy, wet or have lots of ice and snow on the roads.
Accidents involving jackknife can happen when commercial trucks' brakes are locked up abruptly and the driver loses control of the vehicle. For instance, a driver could mistakenly judge a sharp curve and go too fast and the brakes to become locked. The truck may jackknife if the trailer is being pushed to one side. This could 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 load their trailers with cargo to ensure that the truck and trailer remain in balance. If the load shifts dramatically it could cause the trailer lose balance and jackknife.
The driver of a trailer which has been jackknifed can lose control of his truck and its cargo. This could lead to serious injuries, and the need for urgent medical attention, in addition to a substantial loss of wages or other compensation.
Despite the fact that a myriad of factors can cause trucks to jackknife the road, unreliable road conditions are likely to be responsible. Rain, snow, road sprays, loose materials from the truck's engine and tire kickup are all environmental factors that can cause a truck to lose control.