What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Trucks make up a tiny percentage of vehicles on the road however, they are a risk and can cause severe injury or death. Accidents involving large trucks can occur when drivers are distracted or fail to pay attention to their blind spots.
Driver fatigue is also a factor in trucking accidents. They work long hours with no rest breaks in order to fulfill their limits.
Driver Error
Trucking accidents are the result of driver error which is a grave problem. Driver errors can be caused by a number of causes. It is crucial to understand what causes this kind of error, and how to avoid it.
The most frequent driver mistakes include carelessness, inattention, distractedness and sleepiness. These problems can be very dangerous, especially when combined together with the massive size and weight of the truck.
Truck drivers, for example, often work for long hours and don't get enough rest. Truck drivers are frequently under pressure from their employers to deliver loads as quickly as they can. This can lead to them to ignore safety standards.
Another common error made by drivers is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers with these kinds of issues may cause serious accidents in their vehicles, and might even kill or injure other motorists.
Other driver errors include poor maintenance of vehicles and other components and defective components that could cause to a crash. These are all serious issues and must be addressed by trucking companies as quickly as possible.
Trucking accidents are also caused by weather conditions like rain or slick roads. Truck drivers should slow down when they encounter these 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 be at fault for fatal crashes. It is crucial that trucking companies make sure that their employees adhere to these safety standards so that they can shield themselves and their customers from fatal accidents.
The study also revealed that certain drivers are more likely to make these errors than others. This could be because they have a lower degree of education or experience.
These findings could reduce the number of crashes on the road as well as help trucking companies find ways to increase the safety of drivers. The company can spot drivers that are prone to these kinds of errors and educate them on how to avoid mistakes in the future.
Mechanical Problems
While driver error is the primary reason behind trucking accidents 10 percent of these incidents also involve mechanical failure. This makes it more important that truck drivers are familiar with the parts of their vehicles that may fail.
Federal and state laws require commercial trucking companies to regularly examine, repair, and maintain their trucks. These inspections are required to prevent catastrophic accidents that could cause catastrophic injuries or even death.
All three systems are vital to the safety of a truck. If they fail, the driver may lose control of their vehicle and crash into other cars or pedestrians.
Blowouts and other tire problems are also a frequent cause of trucking accidents especially in bad weather conditions or when the terrain is uneven. They can trigger jackknifes as well as swerves, which could lead to serious accidents.
The suspension and steering systems can affect the driver's safety. They can malfunction as a a result of improper maintenance, excessive loading or other reasons.
In addition when a truck is not properly serviced or maintained on a regular basis, its components can be damaged more quickly than they should. For example, if a truck's transmission isn't inspected or serviced on a frequent basis the transmission could start to break down and stop before the driver realizes it.
The lighting system of a truck can also affect the safety of the driver. The lights could malfunction or become damaged making it difficult for other drivers to see the truck and its cargo.
Truckers should examine their vehicle's lighting as the weather starts to cool. This will help to prevent accidents on roads covered with snow, rain or sleet.
In some instances trucks' lights could fail because of faulty wiring or design flaws. These problems can cause truck drivers to lose their vision and miss a roadside hazard. These issues can lead to fatal accidents, especially when a driver is fatigued or distracted.
Overloading
Overloading trucks can be a serious problem that causes many accidents involving trucks. It can result in numerous injuries and fatalities for other motorists on the road.
Overloaded trucks run the chance of crashing into each other or becoming jackknifed, which can cause catastrophic injury to anyone walking on the road. Furthermore, cargo that is not secured properly can escape from the vehicle and hinder other drivers on the road.
To avoid trucking accidents to prevent trucking accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict weight limits on commercial trucks. The limits limit a truck's gross combined weight and gross axle weight.
A truck that is overloaded will have to brake and slow down more often to avoid a collision. The driver of a truck that is overloaded may also be less competent to steer, which can lead to a crash.
This type of trucking accident can be fatal for anyone driving and especially in a severe rainstorm or during snowy conditions. The extra weight puts additional stress on the brakes, and other parts of the truck. This causes them to wear faster.
Tire blowouts are another common warning sign of an overloaded vehicle. The added weight puts the tires under strain, which can result in a tire blowout as well as loss of control.
Overloaded trucks can also show abrupt, jerky movements or a trailer that is sagging or bent. It is crucial to inspect the load prior to moving the truck from the dock.
There are a number of reasons why trucks get loaded for instance, business owners who wish to save money by reducing the amount of time needed for transporting cargo. Overloaded trucks can also be caused by untrained or inexperienced drivers.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by an overloaded truck, it is recommended that you consult with a legal professional to determine if it's appropriate to submit an insurance claim. This could be a good way to ensure that the responsible parties are held liable for your losses and damages.
Jackknife Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to explode and cause severe injuries to the victims of accidents. These trucking accidents are more frequent than you think. Trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, and can move a trailer up to 28 feet at speeds that can cause damage to private property and passenger cars.
There are many things you can do to prevent these truck accidents. First, if your home is in Hidalgo County or in the state of Texas and have suffered a serious injury in a jackknife accident you might be able to claim compensation for your losses by seeking help from a skilled trucking accident lawyer.
Slowing down and giving trucking attorney accidentinjurylawyers to brake will also help drivers avoid jackknife crashes. This is especially important on roads that are wet, icy or have a lot of ice and snow on them.
Accidents that involve a Jackknife happen when commercial trucks' brakes are locked up abruptly and the driver loses control of the vehicle. A driver might misjudge an abrupt bend and drive too fast. This could cause the brakes to lock up. The truck might then jackknife as the trailer is moved towards one side or the other causing damage to other vehicles in the area.
A shift in the weight of the cargo inside the trailer of the truck is a common cause of a jackknife accident. Expert loaders take care when placing cargo inside their trailers to ensure that the trailer and truck maintain balance. If the load shifts drastically the trailer could become out of balance and even jackknife.
The driver of a trailer with a jackknife may lose control of the trailer and its entire cargo. This can result in serious injuries that require extensive medical attention and a loss of earnings.
While a number of factors can cause a truck to jackknife, the main and common cause is faulty road conditions. Ice, snow, rain road spray, loose components from the engine of the truck tire kickup and other environmental factors can all reduce traction on the roadway and cause a truck to lose its control.