What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks constitute a tiny percentage of vehicles on the road however, they can be dangerous and cause serious injury or even death. Accidents involving large vehicles can be caused by drivers who are distracted or don't pay attention to their blind spots.
Trucking accidents can also be the result of driver fatigue. They work all day long, with no breaks in order to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Driver errors are the leading reason for trucking accidents, and it is a very serious problem. Driver errors can be caused by a number of factors. It is important to know the causes of this type of error and how to avoid it.
Inattention, carelessness, distraction and drowsiness are the top common errors made by drivers. These problems can be extremely dangerous, particularly when paired with the huge size of trucks.
Truck drivers, for instance typically work long hours and do not get enough rest. They are often under pressure to get their loads to their destinations as quickly as possible, which can lead them into ignoring safety standards.
Another common mistake is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers who suffer from these kinds of problems can cause serious car accidents, and they could even kill or hurt other people.
Other driver faults include insufficient maintenance of the vehicle and other components and malfunctioning parts that could lead to the possibility of a crash. All of these are serious issues that trucking companies should deal with as soon as they can.
Trucking accidents are also triggered by weather conditions, such as rain or slick roads. Truck drivers are required to slow down when they encounter these conditions, and they must be aware of how the conditions affect their vehicles.
Recent research has found that truckers who don't perform these duties can be at fault for fatal accidents. Therefore, it is essential for trucking companies to ensure that all employees adhere to these safety guidelines in order to protect their clients and themselves from deadly accidents.
The study also found some drivers are more likely to make these mistakes than others. This could be due to their lack of experience or education.
These findings could reduce the number of crashes on the roads as well as help trucking companies find ways to improve the safety of drivers. Drivers who are susceptible to these types of errors are recognized, and the company will be more likely to ensure that they are properly trained so that they do not make these mistakes again in the future.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical failure is a factor in 10 percent of trucking-related accidents. This makes it all the more crucial for truck drivers to be familiar with all of the components that could malfunction in their vehicles.
Federal and state laws compel commercial trucking companies inspect, repair and maintain their trucks on a regular basis. These inspections are necessary to prevent serious accidents that could result in severe injuries or even death.
Tires, brakes and transmission systems are all crucial to the safety of a truck. If they fail and a driver is unable to maintain control of their vehicle and crash into other vehicles, or pedestrians.
Blowouts, and other tire problems, are also common causes of trucking accidents. This is especially the case in severe weather or on uneven terrain. They can cause jackknifes or swerves that can cause serious crashes.
Other truck components which can have an impact on safety of the driver include steering and suspension systems. These systems can fail as a due to improper maintenance, overloaded or other causes.
If the components of a truck aren't maintained and serviced regularly, they could wear out much faster than expected. If a truck's engine is not inspected and serviced frequently, it could begin to malfunction before the driver even notices it.
The lighting system in a truck can also affect the safety of the driver. These lights can fail or become damaged which makes it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
Truckers should inspect their vehicle's lights as the temperature begins to cool. This will reduce the risk of accidents in the event that the road is covered in snow or rain, or even sleet.
Some truck lights may fail due to faulty wiring or design flaws. These issues can cause truck drivers to lose their visibility and miss a roadside hazard. These issues can cause fatal accidents, particularly when a driver is fatigued or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading of trucks is an extremely serious issue that leads to numerous trucking accidents. It can result in numerous injuries and fatalities for other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks are more likely to roll over or be struck by a jackknife. This can lead to catastrophic injuries for anyone on the road. Unsecured cargo may also spill out and cause other drivers to become obstructed on the road.
To avoid trucking accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration imposed strict weight limitations on commercial trucks. These limits limit the truck's gross combination weight as well as its gross axle weight.
A truck that is loaded will have to brake and slow down more frequently in order to avoid an accident. A truck driver who's overloaded may be less able than usual to control the vehicle and could result in an accident.
This kind of trucking accident can be fatal for anyone driving and especially in a heavy rainstorm or during snowy conditions. The additional weight puts extra stress on the brakes, and other parts of the truck. This causes them to wear faster.
Tire blowouts are a common symptom of an overloaded truck. The reason for this is that the extra weight pushes the tires to their limit, resulting in the blowout and loss of control.
Other signs that a truck is laden with too much are sudden, movement that jerks, and bowing or sagging of the trailer. It is essential to check the load prior to removing the vehicle off the dock.
Overloaded trucks could be the result of many factors, including the desire of business owners to save money by cutting down on the time required to transport cargo. Inexperienced or untrained drivers can also lead to overloaded trucks.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by an overloaded truck, it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer to determine if it is appropriate to submit a claim. This is a great way to ensure that responsible parties are held accountable for your damages and losses.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks can be jackknifed in causing devastating injuries to victims of accidents. These types of trucking accidents happen more often than you may think, as trucks can weigh 80,000 pounds and have the capability to swing a trailer with a length of 28 feet at speeds that can cause destruction to private property and passenger vehicles.
There are many ways to avoid these accidents. If you live in Hidalgo County or in the state of Texas and have suffered a serious injury in a jackknife accident and you are eligible, you could be able to seek compensation for your losses with help from a seasoned trucking accident lawyer.
Slowing down and allowing trucks plenty of space to brake will also help drivers avoid jackknife crashes. This is especially important on roads with lots of ice, snow, or when they are wet.
When the brakes of commercial trucks fail suddenly, the driver can lose control of the vehicle. A driver might misjudge the sharpness of a bend and speed up. bridgeport truck accident attorney can cause the brakes to lock up. The truck could then jackknife when the trailer swerves to one side or the other, causing damage to other vehicles in the area.
A shift in the cargo's weight inside the trailer of the truck is a frequent cause of a jackknife crash. Experienced loaders carefully place the cargo on their trailers to ensure that the truck and trailer maintain balance. If the load shifts drastically, the trailer can become out of balance and jackknife.
The driver of a truck that has an jackknifed cylinder could lose control over his truck and the cargo. This could cause serious injuries and the need for extensive 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 the culprit. Rain, snow, ice, road spray, loose substances from the engine of the truck tire kickup, and a variety of other environmental factors can all affect traction on the roadway and cause a truck to lose control.