What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a tiny portion of the vehicles on road however, they can be dangerous and cause severe injuries or even death. Accidents involving large vehicles may occur when drivers become distracted or do not pay attention to their blind areas.
Accidents in the trucking industry can also be the result of driver fatigue. These drivers often work long hours, without breaks, to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Accidents involving trucks are caused by driver error which is a major problem. There are a myriad of factors that can contribute to driver error and it is crucial to understand what causes these mistakes and how to prevent them from happening.
The most frequent driver mistakes include carelessness, inattention, distractedness and drowsiness. These types of issues can be extremely dangerous, especially when combined with the enormous size and weight of a truck.
For example, truck drivers often work long hours, but do not take enough rest. Truck drivers are frequently under pressure by their employers to deliver loads as fast as they can. This could lead them to disregard safety standards.
Another mistake that is common is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers with these kinds of issues could cause serious accidents in their vehicles, and could even cause death or injury to other motorists.
Other driver mistakes can include inadequate maintenance of the vehicle and other components as well as defective parts that could cause a crash. These are all very important issues that should be addressed by trucking companies as quickly as possible.
Trucking accidents are also caused by weather conditions like rain or slippery roads. Truck drivers should slow down when they encounter such conditions and be aware of the consequences on their vehicles.
A recent study revealed that truckers who do not perform these tasks could be at fault for fatal crashes. It is therefore crucial for trucking companies to ensure that all employees comply with these safety standards to protect their customers and themselves from dangerous 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 can help decrease the number of crashes that occur on the roads, and they could also help trucking companies discover ways to increase the safety of drivers. The company can spot drivers who are prone for these types of errors and help them avoid them in the future.
Mechanical Issues
Mechanical malfunctions are a reason for 10 percent of trucking-related accidents. This makes it more crucial that truck drivers are aware of the parts of their vehicles that could fail.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking companies to check, repair and maintain their vehicles regularly. These inspections are required to avoid serious accidents that can cause serious injuries or even death.
Each of these systems is essential to the safety of the truck. If they fail the driver could lose control of their vehicle and crash into cars or pedestrians.
Blowouts, as well as other tire problems, are also common causes of trucking accidents. This is especially relevant in weather that is not ideal or on uneven terrain. They can lead to jackknifes or swerves that can cause serious accidents.
Other components of a truck that can have an impact on driver safety include suspension and steering systems. They can malfunction as a the result of poor maintenance, heavy load or other causes.
If a truck's components aren't maintained or serviced regularly, they can wear out much faster than expected. For example that if the transmission isn't examined or serviced on a frequent basis then it could begin to fail and then stall before the driver is aware of it.
The lighting system in trucks can also impact the safety of drivers. The lights may malfunction or be damaged which makes it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
Truckers should check their vehicle's lighting before the weather begins to cool. This can prevent accidents when the roads are covered in snow or rain, or even sleet.
In certain instances, a truck's lights can fail due to faulty wiring or design flaws. These problems can cause truck drivers to lose their visibility and miss a roadside hazard. These issues can cause fatal accidents, especially when a driver is fatigued or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading of trucks is an extremely serious issue that is the cause of many trucking accidents. This can result in serious injuries, and even death for other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks are at a greater risk risk of rolling over or being jackknifed. This can cause serious injury to anyone on the roadway. Unsecured cargo may spill out and cause other drivers to be obstructed on the road.
To prevent truck accidents to reduce the risk of accidents on the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight limits on commercial trucks. The limits restrict the truck's gross axle weight and gross combination weight.
A truck that is loaded will need to stop and slow down more frequently to avoid a collision. The driver of a truck with a heavy load might also be less in a position to steer, which can lead to an accident.
This type of trucking crash can be fatal, particularly when it happens during an extreme downpour or conditions of snow. The additional weight also places additional stress on the brakes as well as other parts of the truck, which causes them to wear out more quickly.
Tire blowouts are a common warning sign of an overloaded vehicle. This is because the extra weight puts the tires at their limit, resulting in a blowout and a loss of control.
Other indicators that a truck is laden with too much are sudden, shaking movements, sagging or bowing in the trailer. It is crucial to examine the load before moving the truck from the dock.
Overloaded trucks could be the result of many factors, such as the desire of business owners to save money through cutting down on the time required for transporting cargo. Overloaded trucks could also be caused by inexperienced or unskilled drivers.
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 legal professional to determine whether it is appropriate to start a claim. This could be a great way to ensure the responsible parties are accountable for the damage and losses.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks may jackknife, causing catastrophic injuries to victims of accidents. These accidents involving trucks are more common than you think. Trucks can weigh as much as 80 tons, and transport a trailer as long as 28 feet at speeds that could destroy private property and passenger cars.
There are best truck accident attorneys can do to avoid these accidents. First, if you reside in Hidalgo County or the state of Texas and have suffered a serious injuries in a jackknife crash You may be able to pursue compensation for your losses by seeking help by a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer.
Drivers can also prevent jackknife accidents by taking the time to slow down and give trucks plenty of space to brake. This is especially crucial on roads that have lots of ice, snow, or are wet.
Accidents involving jackknife can occur when a commercial truck's brakes are locked up abruptly and the driver loses control of the vehicle. For instance, a driver could misjudge a sharp curve and speed up which causes the brakes lock up. The truck may then jackknife as the trailer moves out towards one side or the other and cause damage to other vehicles in the area.
A shift in the weight of the cargo within the trailer of the truck is another common cause of a jackknife accident. Expert loaders take care when placing cargo inside their trailers to ensure that the trailer and truck maintain their balance. If the load shifts significantly the trailer could become out of balance and even jackknife.
The driver of a truck that has jackknifed may lose control of his truck and its cargo. This could cause serious injuries and require urgent medical attention, and a significant loss of wages or other compensation.
Although a variety of factors can cause a vehicle to jackknife itself, the most frequent cause is the result of poor road conditions. Ice, snow, rain, road spray, loose components from the engine of the truck, tire kickup and other environmental factors can reduce traction on the roadway and cause a truck to lose its control.