What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks comprise a small percent of the vehicles on road however, they are extremely hazardous and cause severe injuries or even death. Accidents involving large vehicles may result when drivers are distracted or fail to pay attention to their blind areas.
Driver fatigue can also contribute to trucking accidents. They often work all day long, with no breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Driver error is the number one cause of trucking accidents and it is a very serious problem. Driver error can be caused by a number of causes. It is crucial to know the causes of this kind of error and how to avoid it.
The most common driver errors include carelessness, inattention, distractedness, and sleepiness. These issues can be extremely risky, especially when they are paired together with the massive size and weight of a truck.
Truck drivers, for example, often work for long hours and don't get enough rest. They are often pressured to get their loads to their destinations as quick as possible, which can lead them to not adhere to safety regulations.
Another common driver error is driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These drivers can cause serious car accidents and even kill or hurt others.
Other driver faults include insufficient maintenance of the vehicle and other components, as well as defective parts that could lead to a crash. All of these are serious issues that trucking companies need to deal with as soon as they can.
Trucking accidents are also caused by weather conditions like rain or slippery roads. Truck drivers must slow down when they encounter such conditions and be aware of the consequences on their vehicles.
Recent research has proven that truckers who do not complete these tasks to perform can cause fatal accidents. Therefore, it is crucial for trucking companies to ensure that all employees adhere to these safety guidelines in order to protect their customers as well as themselves from these deadly accidents.
The study also showed that some 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 help reduce the number of crashes that occur on the road. They could also help trucking companies discover ways to improve driver safety. Drivers who are susceptible to these kinds of mistakes are recognized, and the company will be more likely to ensure that they are properly trained so that they do not make these mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Problems
While driver error is the most common reason behind trucking accidents 10 percent of these accidents also involve mechanical malfunction. This makes it even important that truckers are aware of the components of their vehicles that may fail.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking companies to inspect repair and maintain their trucks on a regular basis. Without these inspections, drivers and cargos could be at risk of a serious accident that could cause severe injuries or even death.
Transmission, brakes, and tires systems are all vital to a truck's safety. If they malfunction the driver may lose control of their vehicle and crash into other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts, and other tire problems are also a common cause of trucking accidents. This is particularly when the weather is bad or on uneven terrain. They can trigger jackknifes as well as swerves, which could cause serious accidents.
The steering and suspension systems can also affect the driver's safety. These systems may malfunction due to poor maintenance, excessive load or other reasons.
If a truck's parts are not serviced or maintained regularly, they can wear out much faster than you would expect. For example, if a truck's transmission isn't checked or maintained regularly then it could begin to fail and then stall before the driver even realizes it.
The lighting system in trucks can also impact the safety of the driver. These lights can malfunction or get damaged causing other drivers to be unable or unable to see the truck and its contents.
Truckers should inspect their vehicle's lighting before the weather starts to cool. This will prevent accidents when the road is covered in snow, rain or even sleet.
In some cases the lights on a truck can fail due to defective wiring or design flaws. These issues can cause a driver to lose visibility and miss hazards on the side of the road. These issues can cause fatal accidents, particularly when the driver is fatigued or distracted by other factors.
Overloading
Overloading trucks can be a serious problem that causes many accidents involving trucks. It can result in a wide range of injuries and fatalities to other motorists.
Overloaded trucks are more likely to overturn or become struck by a jackknife. This can cause serious injuries for anyone who is on the road. Unsecured cargo may spill out and cause other drivers to become blocked from driving.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set strict weight limits for commercial trucks to help prevent accidents involving trucks. These limits limit a truck's gross combination weight as well as its gross axle weight.
A truck that is loaded will need to stop and slow down more frequently in order to avoid an accident. The driver of an overloaded truck might also be less competent to steer which could lead to an accident.
This kind of trucking accident can be fatal, particularly when it occurs during an intense downpour or conditions of snow. The extra weight adds stress on the brakes, and other parts of a truck. This results in them wearing out more quickly.
Tire blowouts are another common indication of an overloaded truck. The added weight puts tires under stress, resulting in a tire blowout and loss of control.
Overloaded trucks may also show abrupt, jerky movements or a trailer that is sagging or bent. It is important to check the load before moving the truck off the dock for loading.
There are many reasons why trucks are overloaded for instance, business owners who want to reduce their expenses by reducing amount of time required for transporting cargo. Drivers who aren't experienced or trained can cause overloaded trucks.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by an overloaded truck, you must consult a lawyer to determine whether it is appropriate to file an action. This could be a great method of ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable for your losses and damage.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to jackknife and cause catastrophic injuries to victims of accidents. These accidents involving trucks are more frequent than you imagine. Trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, and can transport a trailer as long as 28 feet at speeds that can cause damage to private property and passenger vehicles.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can take to prevent these accidents from happening. If More about the author live in Hidalgo county or the state of Texas, and you have suffered serious injuries as a result of the event of a jackknife collision, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries 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 to stop. This is particularly crucial on roads that are icy, wet or have lots of snow and ice on them.
Accidents with a jackknife may occur when commercial truck's brakes suddenly lock and the driver loses control of the vehicle. A driver might misjudge a sharp bend and speed up. This can cause the brakes to lock up. The truck may jackknife if the trailer is pulled to one side. This can cause damage to other vehicles.
A shift in the cargo's weight inside the trailer of the truck is a common cause of jackknife accident. Professionally trained loaders pack cargo into their trailers so that the truck and its trailer are in a balanced position. If the load shifts dramatically, it can make the trailer move out of balance and cause it to jackknife.
The driver of a truck that is jackknifed could lose control over the truck and its entire cargo. This could result in serious injuries, and the need for urgent medical attention, as well as a substantial loss of wages or other compensation.
Despite the fact that a myriad of factors can cause trucks to jackknife the road, poor road conditions are likely to be at fault. Rain, snow, road sprays, loose substances from a truck's engine and tire kickups are just a few of the environmental factors that can cause a truck to lose control.