Why Driver Error is the Biggest Cause of Trucking Accidents
Accidents with trucks can cause serious injuries to anyone affected.
An experienced personal injury attorney can assist you in understanding more about your rights as a legal person in the event of a trucking accident. They'll be able to help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and medical expenses.
Driver Error
There are many variables that can lead to an accident on the road, but driver error is among the most common. In fact, a study done by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that driver error was responsible for 87% of accidents investigated!
Accidents that happen on the road can be extremely serious. This is why it's so important to seek legal representation. An experienced lawyer at your side can help you obtain compensation for your injuries as well as other damages.
An attorney will begin by gathering evidence to determine the root of your trucking accident. This involves examining the maintenance history of the truck, obtaining an expert opinion about the truck's mechanical state, and even getting the trucking company to provide the logs of the driver, which are required by law.
Another important thing to consider is whether the driver is in violation of hours-of-service rules. These laws govern how long a trucker can operate their vehicle and how long they can take off before returning to work. If a driver exceeds limit set by the FMCSA, they may be held accountable for the damage they cause in an accident.
Fatigue is a significant cause of trucking accidents. A tired trucker is less likely to react quickly to an emergency and could make dangerous mistakes such as being too attentive or driving too fast for weather conditions.
Driver distraction is a common reason for trucking accidents. Food, texting, dreaming and talking on the phone, or using navigational devices like GPS and maps can distract truck drivers away from driving and make it difficult to respond to any situation.
Other factors that could cause driver error are improper loading, fatigue, and speeding. When a driver is distracted in any way, they are more likely to become distracted and miss the gaps, ignore signs of impending dangers and even panic or freeze up in an accident.
While these mistakes aren't unique to everyone however truck drivers are more likely to make them. This is because they operate a huge powerful vehicle that demands more attention than smaller passenger cars. They are also under greater pressure to deliver their cargo in a timely manner.
Improper Loading
Most truck accidents are caused by improper loading. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry by setting service hours, making sure that trucks are in compliance with weight and size limitations and instructing drivers on the proper methods for loading cargo safely.
Truck drivers often ignore these laws in order to get their destination faster and avoid paying fines. They also do not take the proper precautions to be safe while driving.
The resultant accidents aren't only dangerous for those who were involved in the collision but cause injuries and damage to other motorists who share the road with a commercial truck. Accidents involving trucks can include being rolled over, jackknifing or colliding with other vehicles.
Heavy loads can also cause problems with steering and brakes. This is especially relevant if the load was not secured properly or moved.
You must immediately seek medical attention if you are injured in an accident that involves a truck. An attorney who specializes in personal injury can assist you in determining who is at fault and what damages you're entitled to.
Overloading a truck could cause it to not be able to stop in time. This could lead to rear-end collisions or other traffic accidents. A truck that is loaded can impact its ability to drive, which can lead to jackknifing and loss of control.
These issues can be worsened by weather conditions such as rain or snow on tie-downs used to secure cargo. This can result in the ropes and bungee cords used to connect the equipment to the truck breaking , or sliding and cause the cargo to fall out of the truck.
The cargo that is not secured off a truck could cause serious injuries or fatalities to anyone who are in its path. A Massachusetts attorney can help you learn about the legal obligations of all participants in an accident caused by a truck improperly loaded.
You must seek compensation when you are injured in an accident caused by an unloaded truck. Based on the particulars of your situation, you could be entitled to monetary compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, suffering and property damage.
Tire Blowouts
In a trucking crash, the blowout of a tire can cause devastating injuries or even death. It can also cause debris to scatter and hit other vehicles in the road, causing an accident.
Low air pressure wear on tires, negligence in maintenance or inspection of the truck could cause blowouts. In most cases, these incidents could be avoided if the driver or the trucking company had followed the established procedures to prevent the possibility of a blowout.
Federal laws require that truck drivers take regular breaks and maintain their trucks properly. They must also examine the truck thoroughly and report any problems immediately. In some instances, a trucking company may engage a contractor to conduct inspections and repairs, and should it fail to fulfill the legal requirements in these areas and is found to be negligent, it may be held accountable for any accidents that result from its inattention.
One of the main reasons for trucking accidents tire blowouts can be high-speed driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that a lot of truckers drive at speeds that are not safe that are allowed for commercial trucks that can wear out their tires and result in them blowing out.
If you've suffered an injury in an accident with a truck due to an accident that resulted in a blowout, it is recommended to contact an attorney who specializes in big rig accidents . They can help you file claims for compensation. They can review your case and determine who was at fault for the crash.
You should also consider who was responsible for the tire that failed to blow up. You could make a claim for product liability against the tire manufacturer when they produced a defective tire.
After a tire blowout it is possible for a driver to lose control of their vehicle because the vehicle becomes unstable. This can lead to a rollover or jackknife accident.
If a large semi-truck or truck blows its tires, it could alter the weight balance of the vehicle, which can affect its stability. This could cause the truck to tip over or cause serious injuries.
It is crucial to realize that a tire blowout can occur any time, anywhere and is usually an unavoidable occurrence. It is crucial to keep in mind that the trucking industry is governed by strict regulations. To avoid being in an accident, it's essential to follow all traffic laws and maintain your vehicle.
Squeeze-Type Accidents
Unlike passenger cars commercial trucks like semi trucks 18 wheelers, semi trucks and tractor trailers require special maneuvering on the road due to their size and weight. Truck drivers are concerned about the security of these vehicles as well as their ability to avoid falling over.
Squeeze-play accidents occur when a passenger vehicle gets caught between a huge tractor trailer or a truck and the curb, wall or any other kind of road barrier as it tries to pass the driver of the big tractor trailer in a turning. This can result in serious injuries and property damage particularly for smaller vehicles.
The most effective way to avoid this type of accident is by giving trucks plenty of room to move. It is also important to pay attention to the truck driver's signals and ensure that they are not turning to the right and could lead to squeeze play accidents.
Another reason to be wary around large rigs is the fact that their cabs are extremely tall. This can make it difficult for other drivers to see them in their blind spots. One motorist could mistakenly pass an enormous rig on the right even though the truck is turning left.
This can result in an asymmetrical collision, where the vehicle in front of the truck strikes the side of the big rig. The truck is then forced to turn into different lanes, which can cause multi-vehicle pileups as well as further damage to the truck, occupants of both vehicles and any other road users.
A personal injury lawyer with experience handling these cases is a good option if you've been injured in the course of a trucking accident as a result of the squeeze play. truck accident settlement will assess your case and determine if the truck driver was responsible for the accident, and assist you in filing an claim for compensation.