What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks comprise a tiny portion of the vehicles on the road but they can cause serious injuries or death. Accidents involving large vehicles could result when drivers are distracted or fail to pay attention to their blind areas.
Driver fatigue can also cause trucking accidents. These drivers often work long hours without rest breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Driver error is the most common cause of trucking accidents, and it is a very serious issue. There are a myriad of causes that can lead to driver errors and it is vital to know what causes these errors and how to avoid them.
The most frequent errors made by drivers include carelessness, inattention, distraction and sleepiness. These can be extremely hazardous, particularly when they are combined with the enormous size and weight of a truck.
For instance truck drivers typically work long hours without taking enough time to rest. Truck drivers are often under pressure from their employers to deliver loads as fast as they can. This can cause them to disregard safety standards.
Another frequent error of drivers is driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These drivers could cause serious car accidents and even kill or harm others.
Other driver mistakes include poor maintenance of the vehicle and other components and malfunctioning parts that could result in crashes. All of these are serious issues that trucking companies should deal with immediately.
Additionally to these mistakes in trucking, accidents can be caused by weather conditions, such as slick roads or rain. Truck drivers need to slow down when they encounter these conditions and be aware of the consequences on their vehicles.
A recent study found 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 so that they can protect their customers and themselves from deadly accidents.
The study also found certain drivers are more likely to make these errors than others. This could be due to their lower level of experience or education.
These findings can help reduce the number of crashes on the road. They can also help trucking companies identify ways to improve driver safety. The company can identify drivers who are susceptible to mistakes like these and educate them on how to avoid making them in the future.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical malfunctions are a reason for 10% of trucking accidents. This makes it more important that truck drivers are familiar with the parts of their vehicles that can fail.
Federal and state laws compel commercial trucking firms to inspect repair and maintain their trucks regularly. These inspections are required to prevent serious accidents that could cause devastating injuries or even death.
Tires, brakes and transmission systems are all essential to a truck's safety. If they fail the driver could lose control of their vehicle and crash into cars or pedestrians.
Blowouts, along with other tire failures are also a frequent cause of trucking accidents. This is particularly the case in severe weather or on uneven terrain. They can result in crashes or swerves that could cause serious crashes.
Other components of a truck that can have an impact on safety of the driver include suspension and steering systems. They can malfunction as a because of inadequate maintenance, overloaded or other issues.
Additionally that, if a vehicle isn't properly maintained or maintained regularly the components may wear down much faster than they are supposed to. For instance, if a truck's transmission isn't examined or serviced on a frequent basis and it starts to break down and stall before the driver even realizes it.
Another issue that could impact the safety of drivers is the lighting system on a truck. These lights could fail or get damaged causing other drivers to be unable to see the truck and its contents.
The truckers should be checking their vehicle's lights as the weather turns cooler. This will help prevent accidents if the road is covered in snow or rain, or even sleet.
A few truck lights could malfunction due to wiring issues or design flaws. These issues could cause truck drivers to lose their visibility and overlook a roadside hazard. These issues can result in fatal accidents, particularly if a driver is tired or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading of trucks is a serious problem that causes many trucking accidents. It can cause numerous injuries and fatalities to other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks are at a greater risk likelihood of colliding with each other or being jackknifed. This can result in catastrophic injuries to anyone who is on the road. Also, cargo that's not properly secured can spill out of the vehicle and obstruct other drivers on the road.
To prevent accidents involving trucks to prevent trucking accidents, 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.
If a truck is overloaded it will have to slow down and brake more often to avoid an accident with another vehicle. A truck driver who's overloaded might not be able as normal to control the vehicle which could lead to an accident.
This kind of trucking accident can be fatal, particularly when it occurs during the midst of a torrential downpour or conditions of snow. The added weight adds stress to the brakes as well as other parts of the truck, causing them to wear out faster.
Tire blowouts are yet another common sign of a truck that is overloaded. The added weight puts tires under strain, which can result in a blowout of the tire and loss of control.
Overloaded trucks can also show rapid, jerky movements or a trailer that is sagging or bent. It is crucial to examine the load prior moving the vehicle off the dock.
There are many reasons why trucks become overloaded, including company owners who wish to reduce their expenses by reducing amount of time needed to transport their cargo. Drivers who aren't experienced or trained can also lead to overloaded trucks.
Get a lawyer involved if you or someone you love is injured as a result of an accident resulting from an overloaded vehicle. They can assist you to determine if it is appropriate to make a claim. This could be a good way to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for your losses and damages.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to jackknifing and cause catastrophic injuries to accident victims. These kinds of trucking accidents happen more often than you may think, as trucks can weigh 80,000 pounds and have the capability of swinging the trailer up to 28 feet at speeds that could cause damage to passenger cars and private property.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent these accidents from occurring. First, if you reside in Hidalgo County or in the state of Texas and have suffered serious injuries in a jackknife incident and you are eligible, you could be able to pursue compensation for your losses through assistance from an experienced trucking accident lawyer.
In addition, slowing down and giving trucks plenty of space to brake can aid drivers in avoiding jackknife accidents. This is especially important on roads with a lot of ice, snow, or if they are wet.
When the brakes of commercial trucks lock up suddenly, the driver might lose control of the vehicle. For example, a driver might mistakenly judge a sharp curve and go too fast and the brakes lock up. The truck could jackknife when the trailer is pulled to one side. This could cause damage to other vehicles.
A shift in the cargo's weight within the trailer of the truck is another common cause of jackknife accident. Professionally trained loaders pack cargo into their trailers to ensure that the truck and trailer remain in balance. If the load shifts drastically it could make the trailer out of balance and jackknife.
The driver of a trailer that has been jackknifed can lose control of his truck and its cargo. This could cause serious injuries, and the need for intensive medical attention in addition to a substantial loss of wages or other compensation.
There are a myriad of reasons that can cause a vehicle to jackknife itself, the most common cause is faulty road conditions. truck crash , snow, ice, road spray, loose materials from the truck's engine, tire kickup, and a variety of other environmental factors can all affect the traction on the road and cause a truck to lose its control.