15 Of The Top Trucking Accidents Attorney Bloggers You Should Follow
What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a tiny portion of the vehicles on road, but they are a risk and can cause serious injuries or even death. Accidents that involve large vehicles can happen when drivers are distracted or don't pay attention to their blind areas.
Driver fatigue can also be a factor in trucking accidents. They often work long hours without rest breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Driver error is the primary cause of trucking accidents, and it is a very serious problem. There are a myriad of factors that can contribute to driver errors and it is vital to understand the causes of these errors and how to prevent them from happening.
Carelessness, distraction, inattention and drowsiness are among the most common errors made by drivers. These problems can be very hazardous, particularly when they are combined together with the massive size and weight of trucks.
For example truck drivers are often working for long hours without getting enough time for rest. Truck drivers are often under pressure from their employers to complete loads as quickly as possible. This can cause them to obstruct safety rules.
Another frequent driver error is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These drivers could cause serious car accidents and may even cause the death or injury of others.
Other driver errors include poor maintenance of vehicles and other components and defective parts that could cause a crash. These are all serious issues that must be addressed by trucking companies as soon as possible.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by weather conditions, such as rain or slippery roads. Truck drivers must slow down when they encounter these conditions, and they must be aware of how these conditions can affect their vehicles.
A recent study showed that truckers who fail to do these tasks can be responsible for fatal crashes. It is therefore crucial for trucking companies to ensure that all employees follow these safety standards, so that they can protect their customers and themselves from these fatal accidents.
The study also revealed that some drivers are more prone to commit these errors than others. This could be due to their lower level of education or experience.
These findings can reduce the number of accidents on the roads and help trucking companies find ways to improve the safety of their drivers. Drivers that are susceptible to these types of mistakes are identified, and the business can be more likely to prepare them correctly so they don't make these mistakes in the near future.
Mechanical Problems
While driver errors are the main cause of trucking accidents 10 percent of these incidents also involve mechanical failure. This makes it more vital for truck drivers to be familiar with all of the parts that can malfunction in their vehicles.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking companies regularly inspect, repair and maintain their trucks. These inspections are necessary to prevent serious accidents that could cause severe injuries or even death.
Transmission, brakes, and tire systems are all crucial to the safety of a truck. If they malfunction the driver could lose control of their vehicle and crash into vehicles or pedestrians.
Tire failures, including blowouts, are also a typical reason for trucking accidents, especially in bad weather conditions or when the terrain is uneven. They can result in crashes or swerves that could cause serious crashes.
The suspension and steering systems can have an impact on the safety of the driver. They can malfunction because of improper maintenance, excessive load or other reasons.
If the components of a truck aren't maintained and serviced regularly, they may get worn out more quickly than expected. If the engine of a truck is not checked and maintained regularly, it could start to fail before the driver realizes it.
Another issue that could affect safety of drivers is the lighting system on a truck. These lights can malfunction or get damaged, making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
As the weather begins to turn colder It is essential for truckers and drivers to ensure that their vehicle's lights are in working order. This will prevent accidents when the roads are covered with snow, rain or even sleet.
In some cases trucks' lights could be damaged due to wiring issues or design flaws. These problems can cause a truck driver to lose their vigilance and overlook a roadside hazard. These issues can cause fatal accidents, especially when the driver is tired or distracted by other issues.
Overloading
Overloading trucks is a serious issue that can lead to a variety of trucking accidents. It can cause many injuries and fatalities for other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks are at greater risk of likelihood of colliding with each other or becoming jackknifed, which could cause severe injury to anyone on the roadway. Also, cargo that's not secured properly can escape from the vehicle and hinder other drivers on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight limits for commercial trucks to help prevent trucking accidents. The weight limits are set to limit a truck's gross combination weight and gross axle weight.
If a truck is loaded 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 capable of steering and could cause an accident.
This type of trucking crash can be fatal, particularly in the event of an extreme downpour or snowy conditions. The extra weight puts additional stress on the brakes and other parts of the truck. This causes them to wear more quickly.
Tire blowouts are also a sign of an overloaded vehicle. The additional weight puts the tires under stress, resulting in a blowout of the tire and loss of control.
Other indicators that a vehicle is overloaded include sudden movement that jerks, and bowing or sagging in the trailer. It is important to look over the load prior to moving the vehicle off of the dock for loading.
Overloaded trucks can be caused by many factors, such as the desire of business owners to save money by decreasing the time required to transport cargo. Inexperienced or untrained drivers can also lead to overloaded trucks.
Consult You Tube if you or someone you love is injured as a result of an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can help you determine whether it is appropriate to make claims. This is a great way to ensure that the responsible parties are accountable for your losses and damage.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to strike a jackknife, causing catastrophic injuries to those who suffer from accidents. These kinds of trucking accidents happen more frequently than you believe, as trucks weigh up to 80,000 lbs and have the capacity to swing the trailer up to 28 feet at speeds that can destroy private property and passenger vehicles.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can do to prevent these accidents from happening. If you live in Hidalgo County or in the state of Texas and have suffered a severe injury in a jackknife accident, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your losses through assistance from an experienced trucking accident lawyer.
In addition, 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.
Jackknife accidents can happen when commercial trucks' brakes suddenly stop working and the driver loses control of the vehicle. The driver could be unintentionally oblivious to a sharp bend or drive too fast. This could result in the brakes to become locked. The truck may then jackknife when the trailer shifts to one side or other causing damage to other vehicles in the vicinity.
Another cause of accident involving a jackknife is a shift in the weight of the cargo inside the truck's trailer. Loaders who are experienced carefully load their trailers with cargo to ensure that the truck and trailer are balanced. If the load shifts drastically the trailer could be unstable and jackknife.
The driver of a truck that has been jackknifed could lose control of his truck and its cargo. This could result in serious injuries and require an extensive medical treatment, and a significant loss of wages or other compensation.
There are a myriad of reasons that can cause a vehicle to jackknife but the most common cause is faulty road conditions. Rain, snow, ice, road spray, loose substances from the truck's engine, tire kickup, and other environmental factors can all reduce the traction on the road and cause a truck to lose its control.