10 Wrong Answers To Common Trucking Accidents Attorney Questions Do You Know The Right Answers?
What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks comprise a small percent of the vehicles on road however, they can be dangerous and cause severe injury or death. Accidents involving large vehicles can be caused by drivers who are distracted or don't pay attention to 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
Trucking accidents are the result of driver error which is a major issue. There are a myriad of factors that can contribute to driver errors and it is vital to understand what causes these errors and how to avoid them.
Inattention, distraction, carelessness and drowsiness are the top common errors made by drivers. These problems can be very dangerous, particularly when paired with the huge size and weight of the truck.
For instance truck drivers work for long hours without getting enough time to rest. Truck drivers are often under pressure by their employers to deliver loads as fast as possible. This can lead them to obstruct safety rules.
Another frequent error of drivers is driving under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drivers who suffer from these kinds of issues may cause serious car accidents, and could even cause death or injury to others.
Other driver errors include improper maintenance of the vehicle and other components and malfunctioning parts that could cause a crash. These are all very serious problems and should be addressed by trucking companies as soon as possible.
In addition to these blunders Trucking accidents may also be caused by weather conditions, such as slick roads or rain. Truck drivers must slow down when they encounter these conditions and they must be aware of how the conditions could affect their vehicles.
Recent research has proven that truckers who fail these duties can be the cause of fatal crashes. Therefore, it is crucial for trucking companies to ensure that their employees adhere to these safety guidelines, so that they can protect their customers and themselves from these dangers.
The study also revealed that certain drivers are more likely to commit these errors than others. This could be because they are less experienced or have a lower level of education or experience.
These findings could help reduce the number of accidents on the road, and they could also help trucking companies find ways to improve safety for drivers. The company can spot drivers who are prone for these kinds of mistakes and educate them on how to avoid mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Problems
While driver error is the most common reason behind trucking accidents 10 percent of these incidents also result from mechanical problems. This makes it even more crucial that truck drivers are familiar with the parts of their vehicles that can fail.
State and federal laws oblige commercial trucking companies to regularly inspect, repair and maintain their trucks. These inspections are necessary to prevent serious accidents that could cause serious injuries or even death.
Transmission, brakes, and tire systems are all vital to the safety of a truck. If they malfunction the driver could lose control of their vehicle and crash into cars or pedestrians.
Blowouts and other tire problems are also a frequent reason for trucking accidents, particularly in bad weather or when the terrain is uneven. They can lead to jackknifes or swerves that can lead to serious accidents.
The steering and suspension systems can have an impact on the safety of drivers. These systems can fail as a because of inadequate maintenance, heavy load or other issues.
If a truck's components aren't maintained and serviced regularly, they can become worn out faster than anticipated. For example when a truck's transmission isn't inspected or serviced frequently, it may begin to break down and stall before the driver is aware of it.
Another issue that can affect driver safety is the lighting system of trucks. These lights can malfunction or become damaged causing other drivers to be unable or unable to see the truck and its contents.
As the weather begins to cool down it is vital for truckers to make sure that their vehicles' lights are functioning properly. This will help prevent accidents when the roads are covered in snow, rain or sleet.
Certain truck lights can fail due to defective wiring or design faults. These issues can cause drivers to lose vision and miss an opportunity on the side of the road. These issues can result in fatal accidents, particularly if drivers are tired or distracted by other issues.
Overloading
The overloaded trucks are a serious problem that causes many trucking accidents. This can result in serious injuries, and even death for other drivers on the road.
Overloaded trucks are more likely to tip over or become struck by a jackknife. This can result in catastrophic injuries for anyone on the road. Additionally, cargo that is not secured properly could escape from the vehicle and block other drivers on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight limits for commercial trucks to help prevent accidents involving trucks. These limits limit the truck's gross axle weight as well as its gross combination weight.
A truck that is loaded will require braking and slow down more often to avoid a collision. A truck driver who is weighing too much may be less able than typical to steer the vehicle and this could lead to an accident.
This kind of trucking accident could be fatal, especially in the event of an intense downpour or conditions of snow. The extra weight puts additional stress on the brakes and other components of the truck. This makes them wear out faster.
Tire blowouts could also be an indication of an overloaded vehicle. The reason for this is that the extra weight pushes the tires to their limits, which causes an explosion and a loss of control.
Overloaded trucks may also exhibit sudden, jerky movements or a trailer that is bent or sagging. It is crucial to examine the load prior moving the vehicle off of the dock for loading.
Overloaded trucks can be caused by a variety of factors, including the desire of business owners to save money by cutting down on the time required to transport cargo. Drivers who aren't experienced or trained can also cause overloaded trucks.
Contact a lawyer if you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by an overloaded vehicle. They can assist you to determine if it is appropriate to file a claim. This is a great way to ensure the responsible parties are held accountable for your damages and losses.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to jackknife and cause catastrophic injuries to the victims of accidents. These trucking accidents are more frequent than you think. Trucks can weigh up to 85,000 pounds and swing a trailer of 28 feet at speeds that could destroy private property and passenger cars.
There are a variety of things you can do to prevent these truck accidents. If you reside in Hidalgo county or in the state of Texas and have suffered serious injuries as a result of a jackknife crash, you may be able get compensation for your loss by working with an experienced trucking injury lawyer.
Drivers can also avoid jackknife collisions by taking the time to slow down and give trucks ample space for braking. This is especially important when roads are icy, wet or have a lot of ice and snow on the roads.
Accidents that involve a Jackknife happen when commercial trucks' brakes lock up suddenly and the driver loses control of the vehicle. For baton rouge truck accident attorney , a driver could mistakenly judge a sharp curve and go too fast, which causes the brakes to lock up. The truck may then jackknife, as the trailer is moved to one side or other and cause damage to other vehicles in the area.
Another reason that causes jackknife accidents is a shift in weight of the cargo in the trailer of the truck. Experienced loaders carefully take their cargo off their trailers so that the truck and trailer are balanced. If the load shifts drastically it could make the trailer shift out of balance and cause jackknife.
The driver of a jackknifed trailer could lose control of the truck and all its cargo. This could lead to serious injuries, the need for extensive medical attention and a loss of earnings.
There are a myriad of reasons that can cause a truck to jackknife but the most common cause is due to poor road conditions. Rain, snow, ice, road spray, loose components from the truck's engine, tire kickup, and a variety of other environmental factors can reduce the road's traction and cause a truck to lose control.