What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks comprise a small portion of the vehicles on road however, they can be dangerous and cause serious injuries or even death. Accidents involving large vehicles could be caused by drivers who are distracted or fail to pay attention to their blind areas.
Driver fatigue can also be a factor in trucking accidents. These drivers work long hours without taking breaks to meet their daily quotas.
Driver Error
Driver errors are the leading cause of trucking accidents, and it's a serious problem. Driver error can be caused by a number of reasons. It is important to know the causes of this kind of error, and how to avoid it.
Inattention, carelessness, distraction and drowsiness are some of the most frequent mistakes made by drivers. These issues can be very risky, especially when they are combined with the dimensions of a truck.
For example truck drivers typically work for long hours without getting enough time for rest. They are often under pressure to get their loads to their destinations as quickly as possible, which can cause them to ignore safety standards.
Another frequent driver error is driving under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drivers who suffer from these kinds of issues could cause serious accidents in their vehicles, and might even kill or injure other people.
Other driver errors include improper maintenance of the vehicle and other components in addition to malfunctioning parts that could cause crashes. These are all very serious issues and must be addressed by trucking companies as soon as they can.
In addition to these blunders trucking accidents can also be caused by weather conditions, such as slick roads or rain. Truck drivers must be cautious when they encounter such conditions and be aware of the effects on their vehicles.
A recent study revealed that truckers who fail to fulfill these duties could be the cause of fatal accidents. It is therefore important for trucking companies to ensure that all employees follow these safety standards to protect their customers and themselves from these deadly accidents.
The study also showed that some drivers more likely to make these errors than others. This could be due to the fact that they have a lower level of education or experience.
These findings could reduce the number or crashes on the roads and also aid trucking companies in figuring out ways to increase the safety of drivers. The company can spot drivers who are prone for these types of errors and train them to avoid errors in the future.
Mechanical Issues
While driver error is the most common reason for trucking accidents, 10 percent of these incidents also involve mechanical failure. This makes it more important for truck drivers to be aware of the parts that can be damaged in their vehicles.
houston truck accident lawsuits and state laws compel commercial trucking companies to check, repair and maintain their vehicles regularly. Without these inspections, drivers and cargos may be at risk of serious accident that can cause catastrophic injuries, or even fatalities.
The transmission, brakes and tires systems are all essential to a truck's safety. If they malfunction, a driver could lose control of their vehicle and smash into other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts and other tire failures are also a common cause of trucking accidents particularly in bad weather or when the terrain is uneven. They can result in jackknifes and swerves, which could result in serious accidents.
Other components of a truck which can have an impact on safety of the driver include steering and suspension systems. These systems can fail as a the result of poor maintenance, heavy load or other causes.
In addition that, if a vehicle isn't maintained or maintained on a regular basis the components could become worn out much faster than they should. For example that if the transmission isn't examined or serviced regularly, it may begin to break down and stall before the driver knows it.
Another issue that could affect the safety of drivers is the lighting system that comes on trucks. The lights may malfunction or become damaged making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
As the weather begins to get colder it is vital for truckers to ensure that their vehicles' lights are functioning properly. This will help prevent accidents when the road is covered in snow or rain, or even sleet.
In certain instances the lights on a truck can fail due to faulty wiring or design faults. These issues can cause a driver to lose visibility and miss a danger on the side of the road. These issues can lead to deadly accidents, especially when drivers are tired or distracted by other causes.
Overloading
Overloading trucks is an important issue that causes a lot of trucking accidents. It can cause numerous injuries and fatalities for other motorists.
Overloaded trucks run the chance of falling over or being jackknifed. This can cause serious injury to anyone walking on the road. Unsecured cargo could also spill out and cause other drivers to be blocked on the road.
To prevent accidents involving trucks To prevent trucking accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforced strict weight restrictions on commercial trucks. The limits restrict the truck's gross axle weight and its combined weight.
A truck that is overloaded will need to stop and slow down more often to avoid an accident. The driver of a vehicle that is overloaded may also be less capable of steering and could cause an accident.
This kind of trucking accident can be deadly, especially when it happens during a heavy downpour or in conditions of snow. The additional weight puts added stress on the brakes and other parts of the truck, which causes them to wear more quickly.
Tire blowouts could also be an indication of an overloaded vehicle. The added weight puts tires under pressure, resulting in a tire blowout and loss of control.
Overloaded trucks can also show abrupt, jerky movements or a trailer that is sagging or bent. It is important to inspect the load before moving the vehicle off the dock for loading.
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 move cargo. Overloaded trucks are also caused by inexperienced or untrained drivers.
Contact a lawyer if you or someone you care about has been injured by an accident caused by an overloaded vehicle. They can assist you determine whether it is appropriate to make a claim. This could be a good method of ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable for your losses and damage.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are likely to explode and cause severe injuries to victims of accidents. These types of accidents involving trucks happen more frequently than you believe, as trucks weigh 80,000 pounds and have the capacity to swing an oversized trailer of 28 feet at speeds that can cause destruction to passenger cars and private property.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent these accidents from occurring. If you live in Hidalgo County or the state of Texas and have sustained a serious injuries in a jackknife crash you might be able to claim compensation for your losses by seeking help by a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer.
Slowing down and allowing trucks plenty of space to brake can assist drivers in avoiding jackknife collisions. This is particularly important when roads are icy, wet, or have a lot of snow and ice on the roads.
If the brakes of commercial trucks fail suddenly, the driver can lose control of the vehicle. The driver could be unintentionally oblivious to a sharp curve and speed up. This could cause the brakes to shut down. The truck could jackknife when the trailer is pulled to one side. This can cause damage to other vehicles.
A shift in the weight of the cargo inside the trailer of the truck is a common cause for a jackknife collision. Experienced loaders carefully place cargo in their trailers to ensure that the trailer and the truck maintain balance. However, if the load shifts dramatically this could cause the trailer move out of balance and cause it to jackknife.
The driver of a trailer that has been jackknifed could lose control of the trailer and its entire cargo. This can lead to serious injuries and the need for extensive medical treatment and the loss of earnings.
While a variety of causes can cause a vehicle to jackknife but the most common cause is faulty road conditions. Rain, snow, ice road spray, loose material from the truck's engine, tire kickup, and other environmental factors can all decrease the traction of the road and cause a truck to lose its control.