What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks comprise a tiny portion of the vehicles on the road but they can cause serious injuries or death. Accidents that involve large vehicles can be caused by drivers who are distracted or fail to look out for their blind areas.
Driver fatigue is also a factor in trucking accidents. They often work long hours without rest breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Accidents involving trucks are caused by driver error, which is a serious problem. There are a myriad of factors that can contribute to driver errors and it is vital to know the cause of these errors and how to avoid them.
Distraction, carelessness, inattention and drowsiness are the top common errors that drivers make. These issues can be extremely risky, especially when they are paired with the enormous size and weight of a truck.
Truck drivers, for example frequently work long hours and do not get enough rest. They are often under pressure to get loads to their destinations as quickly as possible, which can cause them to ignore safety standards.
Another frequent mistake is driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs. Drivers who suffer from these kinds of issues can be the cause of serious car accidents, and could even kill or hurt others.
Other driver mistakes include improper maintenance of vehicles and other components as well as defective pieces that could lead to a crash. All of these are serious issues that trucking companies should be addressing as soon as they can.
Trucking accidents are also caused by weather conditions, such as rain or slippery roads. Truck drivers are required to slow down when they encounter these conditions and they must be aware of how the conditions will affect their vehicles.
A recent study revealed that truckers who fail to do these tasks can be the cause of fatal accidents. It is essential that trucking companies make sure that their employees adhere to these safety standards in order they can safeguard themselves and their customers from deadly accidents.
The study also revealed that some drivers are more prone to make these mistakes than others. This could be due to their lack of education or experience.
These findings can help reduce the number of crashes that occur on the roads as well as help trucking companies find ways to increase the safety of drivers. Drivers who are susceptible to these kinds of mistakes are identified and the company is more likely to train them properly so they are able to avoid making these mistakes in the near future.
Mechanical Problems
While driver errors are the leading reason for trucking accidents, 10 percent of these accidents also involve mechanical failure. This makes it more important for truck drivers to be aware of all of the components that could be damaged in their vehicles.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking firms to regularly examine, repair, and maintain their trucks. Without these inspections drivers and cargos may be at risk of a serious accident that could lead to catastrophic injuries or even fatalities.
All three systems are vital to the safety of trucks. If they malfunction an driver could lose control of their car and crash into other vehicles or pedestrians.
Tire failures, including blowouts, are also a common reason for trucking accidents, especially in weather conditions that are harsh or when the terrain is uneven. They can lead to collisions or swerves which could cause serious crashes.
Other truck components which can have an impact on the safety of drivers include steering and suspension systems. These systems may malfunction due to poor maintenance, overloaded load or other reasons.
If a truck's components aren't maintained and serviced regularly, they could become worn out faster than expected. For example when a truck's transmission isn't checked or maintained on a frequent basis, it may begin to fail and eventually stall before the driver knows it.
Another factor that could compromise driver safety is the lighting system that comes on the truck. These lights could fail or get damaged causing other drivers to have difficulty recognizing the truck and its contents.
As the weather starts to turn colder it is vital for truckers and drivers to ensure that their vehicle's lights are functioning properly. This will reduce the risk of accidents on roads covered in snow, rain or sleet.
Certain truck lights can fail due to faulty wiring or design imperfections. These problems can cause drivers to lose vision and miss a hazard on the the road. These issues can also result in fatal accidents, particularly if drivers are tired or distracted by other issues.
Overloading
Overloading of trucks is an extremely serious issue that leads to many trucking accidents. It can result in many accidents and fatalities for other motorists.
Overloaded trucks have a higher chance of crashing into each other or becoming jackknifed, which can result in catastrophic injuries to any person on the road. Unsecured cargo can also spill out and cause other drivers to be hindered on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set weight limits for commercial trucks to help prevent accidents that occur during transport. The weight limits are set to limit a truck's gross combination weight as well as its gross axle weight.
If a truck is overloaded it will have to slow down and brake more frequently to avoid an accident with another vehicle. A truck driver who's overloaded could be less able than normally to control the vehicle which could lead to an accident.
This kind of trucking accident can be fatal to anyone on the road and especially in heavy rain or in snowy conditions. The additional weight puts extra stress on the brakes, and other components of the truck. This causes them to wear more quickly.
Tire blowouts can also be an indication of an overloaded vehicle. The additional weight puts the tires under stress, resulting in a tire blowout and loss of control.
Other signs that a truck is laden with too much are sudden, jerking movements and bowing or sagging of the trailer. It is important to check the load before moving the truck from the dock.
Overloaded trucks can be caused by many factors, including the desire of business owners to save money through reduction in time required to transport their cargo. Drivers who aren't experienced or trained can also cause overloaded trucks.
Consult a lawyer if you or someone you love has been injured by an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can help you determine whether it is appropriate to file an claim. This is a great way to ensure that responsible parties are held accountable for your losses and damages.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks may 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 an 80,000-pound weight, and move a trailer up to 28 feet at speeds that can cause damage to private property and passenger vehicles.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can take to prevent these accidents from happening. If you reside in Hidalgo county or the state of Texas, and you have suffered serious injuries in an accident with a jackknife, then you could be able to seek compensation for your loss by working with a seasoned trucking injury lawyer.
Drivers are able to avoid jackknife-related accidents by making sure to slow down and give trucks ample space to stop. lexington truck accident attorney You Tube is particularly important when roads are icy, wet or have a lot of ice and snow on the roads.
Accidents involving jackknife can occur when a commercial truck's brakes lock up suddenly and the driver loses control of the vehicle. A driver might misjudge the sharpness of a bend or drive too fast. This can cause the brakes to shut down. The truck could then jackknife, as the trailer is moved to one side or the other causing damage to other vehicles in the area.
Another cause of accident involving a jackknife is a shift in the weight of the cargo in the truck's trailer. Professional loaders are careful when placing cargo in their trailers to ensure that the trailer and the truck remain in balance. However, if the load shifts dramatically this could cause the trailer out of balance and jackknife.
The driver of a truck that has an jackknifed cylinder could lose control over his truck and its cargo. This can result in serious injuries and the need for extensive medical treatment, and even the loss of wages.
Although a variety of factors can cause a vehicle to jackknife, the most common cause is faulty road conditions. Ice, snow, rain road spray, loose materials from the engine of the truck tire kickup and other environmental factors can all affect traction on the roadway and cause a truck to lose its control.