What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a tiny percent of the vehicles on road however, they are extremely hazardous and cause serious injury or even death. Accidents involving large trucks may result when drivers are distracted or fail to look in their blind spots.
Driver fatigue is also a factor in trucking accidents. These drivers typically work for all day long, with no breaks to meet their quotas.
Driver Error
Driver error is the primary cause of trucking accidents, and it is a very serious issue. Driver errors can be caused by a variety of factors. It is crucial to understand what causes this kind of error and how to avoid it.
Distraction, carelessness, inattention and drowsiness are the most common errors made by drivers. These problems can be extremely risky, especially when they are combined with the massive size of a truck.
Truck drivers, for example, often work long hours and do not get enough rest. Truck drivers are often under pressure by their employers to finish loads as quickly as possible. This can lead them to violate safety standards.
Another mistake that people make is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers who suffer from these kinds of issues may cause serious accidents in their vehicles, and may even kill or injure others.
chino truck accident lawyers include poor maintenance of vehicles and other parts and defective parts which could result in a crash. These are all serious issues that must be addressed by trucking companies as soon as they can.
Trucking accidents are also triggered by weather conditions like rain or slippery roads. Truck drivers must slow down when they encounter these conditions and they must be aware of how these conditions will affect their vehicles.
A recent study found that truckers who do not perform these tasks could be at fault for fatal crashes. It is essential that trucking companies make sure that their employees adhere to these safety standards so they can protect themselves and their customers from deadly accidents.
The study also found 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 could reduce the number or crashes on the roads and help trucking firms find ways to increase the safety of their drivers. Drivers who are prone to these types of mistakes can be identified and the company is more likely to prepare them correctly so they are able to avoid making these mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Issues
Mechanical failure is the main cause of 10 percent of trucking accidents. This makes it important that truckers are aware of the parts of their vehicles that are prone to fail.
State and federal laws require commercial trucking companies to regularly examine, repair, and maintain their trucks. Without these inspections, drivers and cargos could be at risk of a serious accident that can cause catastrophic injuries, or even death.
Tires, brakes and transmission systems are all essential to a truck's safety. If they fail an driver could lose control of their car and smash into other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blowouts, as well as other tire failures are also a common cause of trucking accidents, especially in bad weather conditions or when the terrain is uneven. They can lead to jackknifes or swerves that can cause serious accidents.
The suspension and steering systems can have an impact on the safety of drivers. These systems may malfunction because of poor maintenance, heavy loads or other causes.
In addition, if a truck isn't maintained or maintained regularly, its components can get worn out faster than they are supposed to. If a truck's engine isn't inspected and maintained frequently, it could begin to fail before the driver even realizes it.
Another issue that can affect the safety of drivers is the lighting system that comes on the truck. These lights can malfunction or become damaged making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
The truckers should be checking their vehicle's lighting as the weather turns cooler. This will prevent accidents when the road is covered in snow, rain or even sleet.
In some instances the truck's lights may fail due to defective wiring or design defects. These issues can cause a driver to lose visibility and miss hazards on the roadside. These issues can cause fatal accidents, especially if the driver is fatigued or distracted by other things.
Overloading
Overloading of trucks is a serious problem that causes numerous trucking accidents. This can result in serious injuries, and even death to other drivers on the road.
Overloaded trucks run the risk of rolling over or becoming jackknifed, which can result in catastrophic injuries to anyone who is on the road. Unsecured cargo could also spill out and cause other drivers to become hindered on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight restrictions on commercial trucks to prevent accidents involving trucks. These limits limit a truck's combined weight and gross axle weight.
If a truck is overloaded and is unable to handle the load, it must slow down and brake more often to avoid an accident with another vehicle. The driver of a vehicle that is overloaded might also be less capable of steering which could result in an accident.
This kind of trucking accident can be fatal, particularly when it happens during an intense downpour or snowy conditions. The extra weight adds stress on the brakes, and other components of the truck. This results in them wearing out more quickly.
Tire blowouts are also an indication of an overloaded vehicle. This is because the extra weight pushes the tires to their limits, leading to a blowout and a loss of control.
Other indicators that a vehicle is overloaded include sudden jerking movements and bowing or sagging on the trailer. It is important to check the load prior to removing the truck off the dock.
Overloaded trucks can be caused by a variety of factors, including the need of business owners to save money by reducing the time needed for transporting cargo. Overloaded trucks are also caused by untrained or inexperienced drivers.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident that was caused by an overloaded truck, it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer to determine whether it is appropriate to make a claim. This could be a great way to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for the damage and losses.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks have the potential to strike a jackknife, causing catastrophic injuries to those who suffer from accidents. These types of accidents involving trucks happen more frequently than you think, as trucks weigh 80,000 pounds and possess the capability of swinging a 28-foot trailer at speeds that could destroy the private property of people and vehicles.
There are a variety of things you can do to prevent these truck accidents. If you live in Hidalgo county or the state of Texas and have suffered serious injuries in the event of a jackknife collision, you may be able get compensation for your loss through a skilled trucking injury lawyer.
Slowing down and allowing trucks ample space to brake will aid drivers in avoiding jackknife accidents. This is particularly important on roads with a lot of ice or snow, or if they are wet.
If the brakes of commercial trucks fail suddenly, the driver could lose control of the vehicle. The driver could be unintentionally oblivious to an abrupt bend or drive too fast. This could cause the brakes lock up. The truck could jackknife when the trailer is moved to one side. This could cause damage to other vehicles.
Another common cause of jackknife accidents is a shift in weight of the cargo in the trailer of the truck. Professional loaders are careful when placing the cargo on their trailers to ensure that the trailer and the truck remain in balance. If the load shifts significantly, the trailer can become out of balance and even jackknife.
The driver of a trailer with a jackknife could lose control over the trailer and its entire cargo. This could result in serious injuries, the need for extensive medical care and a loss of earnings.
Despite the fact that a number of factors can cause trucks to jackknife on the road, bad road conditions are likely to be the culprit. Road sprays, loose substances from the truck's engine and tire kickup are all elements that can make a truck to lose control.