What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a small portion of the vehicles on the road but they can cause serious injuries or even death. Accidents that involve large trucks can result when drivers are distracted or fail to look in their blind areas.
Trucking accidents can also be caused by driver fatigue. Drivers work for all day, without any rest breaks in order to meet their limits.
Driver Error
Driver errors are the leading cause of trucking accidents and it's a serious problem. There are a myriad of factors that can contribute to driver error and it is vital to know what causes these errors and how to prevent them from happening.
Inattention, distraction, carelessness and drowsiness are the top frequent mistakes made by drivers. These types of issues can be hazardous, particularly when they are paired with the huge dimensions of the truck.
For instance truck drivers are often working for long hours and do not get enough time for rest. They are often under pressure to get their loads to their destinations as quickly as possible, and this can lead them to not adhere to safety guidelines.
Another mistake that people make is driving under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. These drivers could cause serious car accidents and even kill or hurt others.
Other driver mistakes can include inadequate maintenance of the vehicle and other components and defective components that could lead to crashes. All of these are serious issues which trucking companies must be addressing immediately.
Trucking accidents can also be caused 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 these conditions affect their vehicles.
Recent research has revealed that truckers who do not complete these tasks to perform can cause 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 as well as themselves from these dangers.
The study also revealed that certain drivers are more likely to make these mistakes than others. This could be due to their lower level of education or experience.
These findings can decrease the number of crashes that occur on the roads and also aid trucking companies in figuring out ways to increase the safety of drivers. Drivers who are susceptible to these types of errors can be identified, and the company is more likely ensure that they are properly trained so that they can avoid making these mistakes in the near future.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical malfunctions are a reason for 10% of trucking accidents. This makes it more important for truck drivers to be aware of all of the components that could fail in their vehicles.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking companies to check, repair and maintain their trucks on a regular basis. If these inspections are not conducted, drivers and cargos could be at risk of a serious accident that can result in catastrophic injuries or even fatalities.
Each of these systems is essential to the safety of a truck. If they fail, the driver may lose control of their vehicle and crash into other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts and other tire failures are also a frequent reason for trucking accidents, particularly in bad weather or when the terrain is uneven. They can cause jackknifes and turns, which can lead to serious accidents.
Other truck components which can have an impact on driver safety include steering and suspension systems. These systems may malfunction because of poor maintenance, excessive load or other factors.
If a truck's parts aren't maintained or serviced regularly, they may wear out faster than you would expect. If a truck's engine is not checked and maintained frequently, it could begin to fail before the driver even realizes it.
Another factor that could compromise the safety of drivers is the lighting system on the truck. These lights can fail or be damaged, making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
As the weather begins to get colder, it is important for truckers and drivers to ensure that their vehicles' lights are working properly. This can prevent accidents when the roads are covered in snow, rain or even sleet.
In some instances trucks' lights could fail because of faulty wiring or design flaws. These problems can cause a truck driver to lose their vision and miss a roadside hazard. These issues can also cause fatal accidents, especially when a driver is fatigued or distracted by other factors.
Overloading
The overloaded trucks are an extremely serious issue that leads to numerous trucking accident s. It can cause many injuries and fatalities to other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks are more likely to tip over or become injured by jackknifing. This could result in serious injuries for anyone who is who is driving. Also, cargo that's not secured properly may escape from the vehicle and block other drivers on the road.
To prevent truck accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight limits on commercial trucks. These limits limit a truck's gross combination weight as well as its gross axle weight.
A truck that is overloaded will require braking and slow down more often in order to avoid an accident. A truck driver who is loaded might not be able as typical to steer the vehicle and could result in an accident.
This kind of trucking crash can be fatal to anyone on the road, especially when it occurs in a severe rainstorm or in snowy conditions. The additional weight also puts added stress on the brakes and other parts of the truck, causing them to wear out more quickly.
Tire blowouts are also a sign of an overloaded vehicle. The added weight puts tires under stress, resulting in a tire blowout and loss of control.
Overloaded trucks may also show sudden, jerky movements as well as a trailer that is sagging or bent. It is important to check the load prior to moving the truck off the loading dock.
Overloaded trucks are often the result of a variety of reasons, including the desire of business owners to save money by cutting down on the time required for transporting cargo. Untrained or inexperienced drivers can also cause overloaded trucks.
Contact a lawyer if you or someone you care about has been injured by an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can assist you determine if it is appropriate to make claims. This can be an effective way to ensure that the responsible parties are held liable for your losses and damages.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks have the potential to explode and cause severe injuries to victims of accidents. These accidents involving trucks are more common than you think. Trucks can weigh as much as 85,000 pounds and swing a trailer of 28 feet at speeds that could cause destruction to private property and even passenger cars.
There are a myriad of ways to avoid these trucking accidents. First, if you reside in Hidalgo County or in the state of Texas and have suffered a severe injury in a jackknife accident, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses with help from an experienced trucking accident lawyer.
In addition, slowing down and giving trucks plenty of space to brake can assist drivers in avoiding jackknife collisions. This is particularly important on roads with a lot of ice or snow, or are wet.
If the brakes on commercial trucks fail suddenly, the driver can lose control of the vehicle. A driver may misjudgment the sharpness of a bend and speed up. This could result in the brakes to become locked. The truck could jackknife if the trailer is moved to one side. This can cause damage to other vehicles.
A shift in the weight of the cargo within the trailer of the truck is another common cause for a jackknife collision. Loaders who are experienced carefully load their trailers with cargo to ensure that the truck and trailer are balanced. If the load shifts in a drastic manner it could cause the trailer move out of balance and jackknife.
The driver of a trailer that has been jackknifed may lose control of the trailer and its entire cargo. This could lead to serious injuries as well as the need for expensive medical attention and a loss of wages.
Despite the fact that a range of factors can cause trucks to jackknife the road, bad road conditions are likely to be at fault. Road sprays, loose material from the engine of a truck and tire kickup are all factors that can cause an automobile to lose control.