What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a small portion of the vehicles that travel on the roads but they can cause serious injury or even death. Accidents involving large trucks could happen when drivers are distracted or fail to look in their blind areas.
Accidents involving trucks can also be caused by fatigued drivers. Drivers work for long hours with no rest breaks in order to fulfill their targets.
Driver Error
Driver error is the number one reason for trucking accidents, and it is a very serious problem. Driver errors can be caused by a variety of reasons. It is important to understand what causes this type of mistake and how to avoid it.
Inattention, carelessness, distraction and drowsiness are the most frequent mistakes that drivers make. These issues can be extremely dangerous, especially when combined with the huge size and weight of trucks.
Truck drivers, for instance, often work long hours and do not get enough rest. Truck drivers are often under pressure from their employers to complete loads as quickly as possible. This could lead them to obstruct safety rules.
Another common error made by drivers is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These drivers could cause serious car crashes and even kill or injure others.
Other driver mistakes can be caused by improper maintenance of vehicles and other components as well as defective pieces which could result in to a crash. All of these are serious issues that trucking companies should address as soon as they can.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by weather conditions like rain or slippery roads. Truck drivers are required to slow down when they encounter these conditions and they must be aware of how these conditions can affect their vehicles.
Recent research has revealed that truckers who don't perform in their duties could be the cause of fatal crashes. It is crucial that trucking companies ensure their employees adhere to these safety standards in order that they may protect themselves and their customers from these deadly accidents.
The study also revealed that certain drivers are more likely to commit these errors than others. This could be due to their lack of education or experience.
These findings could reduce the number or crashes on the roads and help trucking companies find ways to improve the safety of drivers. Drivers that are susceptible to these kinds of mistakes can be identified, and the company is more likely prepare them correctly so they are able to avoid making these mistakes again in the future.
Mechanical Problems
While driver errors are the main reason for trucking accidents, 10 percent of these incidents also involve mechanical malfunction. This makes it even more important that truck drivers are aware of the components of their vehicles that may fail.
State and federal laws oblige commercial trucking companies to regularly inspect, repair, and maintain their trucks. These inspections are essential to prevent catastrophic accidents that could cause devastating injuries or even death.
Transmission, brakes, and tire systems are all crucial for the safety of trucks. If they malfunction, the driver may lose control of their vehicle and crash into cars or pedestrians.
Blowouts, as well as other tire problems are also common causes of trucking accidents. This is especially relevant in weather that is not ideal or on uneven terrain. They can cause jackknifes or swerves that can result in serious crashes.
Other parts of a truck which can have an effect on the safety of drivers are steering and suspension systems. These systems can fail because of poor maintenance, a heavy load or other factors.
Additionally, if a truck isn't properly maintained or maintained on a regular basis the components could be damaged more quickly than they should. If a truck's engine is not maintained and inspected regularly, it might begin to fail before the driver even notices it.
The lighting system of trucks can also affect the safety of drivers. These lights can malfunction or be damaged and make it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
The truckers should be checking their vehicle's lighting as the temperature begins to cool. This will help to prevent accidents when the road is covered in rain, snow, or sleet.
In certain situations trucks' lights could be damaged due to wiring issues or design defects. These issues could cause truck drivers to lose their visibility and overlook a roadside hazard. These issues can result in fatal accidents, particularly when drivers are tired or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading of trucks is an extremely serious issue that is the cause of numerous trucking accidents. It can cause many injuries and fatalities to other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks have a higher chance of falling over or being jackknifed. This can cause serious injury to anyone walking on the road. Unsecured cargo may also spill out and cause other drivers to be hindered on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight limits for commercial trucks to help prevent accidents that occur during transport. These limits limit a truck's gross combination weight as well as its gross axle weight.
A truck that is overloaded is likely to have to brake and slow down more often to avoid a crash. The driver of a vehicle that is overloaded could also be less in a position to steer and could cause an accident.
This kind of trucking accident can be fatal, particularly if it occurs during the midst of a torrential downpour or snowy conditions. The extra weight places additional stress on the brakes and other components of the truck. This makes them wear out more quickly.
Tire blowouts can also be an indication of an overloaded vehicle. The added weight puts tires under pressure, resulting in a tire blowout and loss of control.
Other indicators that a vehicle is loaded too much include sudden, shaking movements, bowing or sagging in the trailer. It is essential to check the load prior moving the vehicle off of the loading dock.
There are a number of reasons why trucks are overloaded for instance, business owners who want to reduce their expenses by reducing amount of time required to move cargo. Untrained or inexperienced drivers could also result in overloaded trucks.
Get a lawyer involved if you or someone you care about has been injured by an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can help determine whether it is appropriate to file an claim. This can be an effective way to ensure that the responsible parties are held liable for your damages and losses.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are likely to jackknife and cause catastrophic injuries to the victims of accidents. These accidents involving trucks are more common than you imagine. Trucks can weigh as much as an 80,000-pound weight, and transport a trailer as long as 28 feet at speeds that could destroy private property and passenger vehicles.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to stop these trucking accidents from occurring. If you live in Hidalgo County or the state of Texas and have suffered a serious injuries as a result of a jackknife collision, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your losses through assistance from a seasoned trucking accident lawyer.
In addition, slowing down and giving trucks plenty of room to brake will also help drivers avoid jackknife crashes. This is particularly crucial on roads that have lots of ice, snow, or when they are wet.
If the brakes on commercial trucks stop working suddenly, the driver can lose control of the vehicle. For example, a driver might not be aware of a sharp turn and go too fast which causes the brakes lock up. The truck could be jackknifed if the trailer is being pushed to one side. This could cause damage to other vehicles.
A shift in the cargo's weight within the trailer of the truck is another common cause of a jackknife accident. semi truck accident pack cargo into their trailers so that the truck and its trailer remain in balance. If the load shifts significantly it could cause the trailer lose balance and jackknife.
The driver of a trailer which has jackknifed may lose control of his truck and its cargo. This could result in serious injuries and require intensive 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 common cause is due to poor road conditions. Road sprays, loose substances from the engine of a truck and tire kickup are all factors that can cause a truck lose control.