What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks comprise a tiny portion of the vehicles on the road but they can cause serious injury or even death. Accidents involving large vehicles may occur when drivers become distracted or fail to look out for their blind spots.
Accidents involving trucks can also be caused by fatigued drivers. These drivers often work long hours, without breaks, to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Driver error is the number one reason behind trucking accidents and it is a very serious issue. Driver errors can be caused by a number of reasons. It is crucial to understand what causes this type of error and how to avoid it.
Carelessness, distraction, inattention and drowsiness are the top common errors made by drivers. These can be extremely risky, especially when they are combined with the huge size of trucks.
For example truck drivers are often working long hours without taking enough rest. They are often pressured to get their loads to their destinations as fast as they can. This can lead them into ignoring safety standards.
Another mistake that people make is driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs. Drivers who have these types of issues can be the cause of serious car accidents, and could even kill or hurt other motorists.
Other driver mistakes include poor maintenance of the vehicle and other components in addition to malfunctioning parts that could cause crashes. These are all extremely serious issues that must be addressed by trucking companies as quickly as possible.
In addition to these blunders Trucking accidents may also be caused by weather conditions, such as slippery roads or rain. Truck drivers must be cautious when they encounter such conditions and be aware of the effects on their vehicles.
A recent study revealed that truckers who do not fulfill these duties could be the cause of fatal crashes. It is crucial for trucking companies to ensure that their employees adhere to these safety standards so they can safeguard themselves and their customers from these deadly accidents.
The study also found some drivers are more likely to make these errors than others. This could be due to their lower level of experience or education.
These findings can help reduce the number or crashes on the roads and also help trucking firms find ways to increase the safety of their drivers. The company can identify drivers who are susceptible to these kinds of errors and educate them on how to avoid making mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Issues
While driver error is the primary reason behind trucking accidents 10 percent of these incidents also result from mechanical problems. This makes it even important that truckers are aware of the components of their vehicles that can fail.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking companies to check, repair and maintain their trucks on a regular basis. These inspections are required to prevent serious accidents that could result in severe injuries or even death.
Transmission, brakes, and tires systems are all vital for the safety of trucks. If they malfunction, a driver could lose control of their car and crash into other vehicles, or pedestrians.
Blowouts, as well as other tire failures are also a frequent cause of trucking accidents. This is particularly the case in severe weather or on terrain that is uneven. They can trigger jackknifes as well as swerves, which can result in serious accidents.
Other truck components that could have an impact on the safety of drivers include steering and suspension systems. These systems can malfunction as a result of improper maintenance, overloaded or other causes.
Additionally, if a truck isn't properly maintained or maintained regularly the components could be damaged more quickly than they should. If a truck's engine isn't inspected and maintained frequently, it could begin to malfunction before the driver is aware of it.
Another factor that could compromise safety of drivers is the lighting system of trucks. These lights can malfunction or become damaged which makes it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
As the weather starts to turn colder, it is important for truckers to check that their vehicles' lights are in working order. This will reduce the risk of accidents when the road is covered in snow, rain or even sleet.
In certain situations trucks' lights could fail because of faulty wiring or design imperfections. These issues can cause truck drivers to lose their vision and be unable to see a roadside danger. These issues can result in fatal accidents, especially if a driver is tired or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading of trucks is a serious problem that causes many trucking accidents. This can cause serious injuries and even death for other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks are at greater risk of chance of crashing into each other or becoming jackknifed, which could cause severe injury to any person on the road. Additionally, cargo that's not secured properly can escape from the vehicle and obstruct other drivers on the road.
To avoid trucking accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight limits on commercial trucks. These limits limit the truck's gross combination weight and gross axle weight.
If truck accident settlement is loaded and it is overloaded, it will have to slow down and brake more frequently to avoid an accident with another vehicle. The driver of a truck that is overloaded could also be less able to steer which could lead to a crash.
This kind of trucking accident could be fatal for anyone driving and is especially dangerous in heavy rain or during snowy conditions. The extra weight places additional stress on the brakes, and other components of a truck. This causes them to wear out faster.
Tire blowouts are also a sign of an overloaded vehicle. The reason for this is that the extra weight strains the tires to their limit, resulting in the blowout and loss of control.
Overloaded trucks could also show sudden, jerky movements or a trailer that is sagging or bent. It is important to inspect the load prior to moving the vehicle away from the dock.
Overloaded trucks can be caused by many factors, such as the desire of business owners to save money through reducing the time needed for transporting cargo. Overloaded trucks may also be caused by inexperienced or untrained drivers.
Consult a lawyer if you or someone you care about has been injured by an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can assist you to determine whether it is appropriate to file claims. This could be a good way to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for your damages and losses.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to be jackknifed and cause devastating injuries to victims of accidents. These types of accidents involving trucks happen more often than you may think, as trucks weigh 80,000 pounds and have the ability to swing a trailer with a length of 28 feet at speeds that could destroy private property and passenger vehicles.
Fortunately, there are numerous things you can do to prevent these accidents from happening. First, if you reside in Hidalgo County or in the state of Texas and have suffered a serious injuries in a jackknife crash and you are eligible, you could be able to claim compensation for your losses through assistance from a seasoned trucking accident lawyer.
In addition, slowing down and giving trucks ample space to brake will also aid drivers in avoiding jackknife accidents. This is particularly important when roads are icy, wet, or have a lot of ice and snow on them.
If the brakes on commercial trucks fail suddenly, the driver can lose control of the vehicle. For instance, a driver can make a mistake when judging a sharp curve, and speed up and cause the brakes to stop. The truck may then jackknife when the trailer moves out towards one side or the other and cause damage to other vehicles in the area.
A shift in the cargo's weight inside the trailer of the truck is a common cause of a jackknife accident. Expert loaders take care when placing cargo in their trailers to ensure that the trailer and truck remain in balance. If the load shifts significantly the trailer could be unstable and jackknife.
The driver of a trailer which has jackknifed may lose control of his truck and the cargo. This could result in serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment, and even the loss of wages.
While a number of factors can cause a truck to jackknife, the most common cause is faulty road conditions. Rain, snow, ice road spray, loose materials from the truck's engine tire kickup and other environmental factors can all affect traction on the roadway and cause the truck to lose control.