Why Driver Error is the Biggest Cause of Trucking Accidents
Accidents involving trucks can be devastating to anyone involved, so it's important to get the legal advice you need if you or a loved one was injured in an accident.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you learn more about your rights under the law following a trucking collision. They can help you obtain the compensation you need for your injuries and medical expenses.
Driver Error
A truck accident can be caused by a variety of factors, but the biggest cause of most accidents is driver error. In fact, a study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that driver error was responsible for 87% accidents studied!
This is among the main reasons why it is important to get legal representation if you are involved in a trucking accident. A competent lawyer can assist you obtain compensation for your injuries as well as other damages.
The first thing that an attorney can do to determine the reason for the accident on the road is to gather evidence. This includes examining the history of maintenance for the truck and getting an expert's opinion regarding the truck's mechanical condition and even getting the trucking firm to release the logs of its drivers, which are legally required.
Another important thing to consider is whether the driver is in violation of hours-of-service rules. These laws govern how long a truck driver can operate their vehicle and how long they may rest before they must return to work. Truckers who exceed FMCSA's guidelines could be held responsible for any harm they cause in an accident.
Trucking accidents can also be caused by fatigue. Fatigue can cause a trucker to be less responsive to an emergency and can result in dangerous errors, such as driving too fast in poor weather conditions.
Driver distraction is another frequent reason for trucking accidents. Truck drivers may be distracted by eating, texting or daydreaming while using navigational or GPS devices which can make it difficult to respond in emergency situations.
Driver error can be caused by improper loading and speeding, fatigue, as well as other factors. Drivers who are distracted are more likely to pay attention, miss gaps, disregard warning signs or panic. They may also freeze up during a crash.
These errors can be made by anyone However, truck drivers are more likely to make mistakes. Truck drivers are more likely to commit these errors because they operate an extra powerful, larger vehicle that requires more attention than smaller passenger vehicles. They are also under more pressure to deliver their cargo on-time.
Improper Loading
Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by improper loading. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry, setting service hours, making sure that vehicles are in compliance with size and weight limits and educating drivers about the proper methods to load cargo safely.
Unfortunately, truck drivers frequently do not follow these rules in order to reach their destinations quicker and avoid fines. They also do not take the proper precautions to ensure their safety when driving.
The accidents that result are not only hazardous for the people who are involved in the collision and their passengers, but they also cause injuries and property damage to other motorists sharing the road with commercial trucks. Accidents involving trucks can include rolling over, jackknifing or collisions with other vehicles.
Heavy loads can also cause problems with steering and braking. This is especially true if the load wasn't properly secured or shifted.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by trucks, you must seek medical attention right away. An attorney who specializes in personal injury can help you determine who is responsible and what damages you are entitled.
Overloaded trucks can cause it to be unable to stop in time. This can lead to rear-end collisions and other traffic accidents. The weight of a truck can affect its ability to drive, which can lead to jackknifing, and loss of control.
These issues can also be worsened by weather conditions like snow or rain on the tie-downs that hold cargo. This can cause the bungee cords or ropes that are attached to the truck to break or slip and cargo can fall off the truck.
The unsecure cargo that falls off of a truck can cause serious injuries or deaths to the people who are in the path of. A Massachusetts attorney can help learn about the legal obligations of all parties involved in an accident which involves a vehicle that has been not properly loaded.
If you've been injured in an accident with the truck that was loaded improperly, you must seek compensation for your losses. Depending on the details of your case, you might be entitled to monetary compensation for medical expenses or lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Tire Blowouts
In a trucking collision, a tire blowout can cause severe injuries or even death. It can also cause accidents due to the scattering of debris that may be thrown into other vehicles.
Low air pressure or worn tires, inattention to maintenance, or inspection of the truck can all result in blowouts. In many cases, these incidents could be avoided if the driver or the trucking company had used standard procedures to avoid a blowout.
Federal laws require that truck drivers take breaks regularly and maintain their trucks properly. Truck drivers are required to examine their vehicles thoroughly and immediately report any issues. The trucking industry may also employ contractors to inspect and repair trucks. If it fails to do so, it could be held responsible for any accidents that arise from its negligence.
One of the most common causes of trucking accident tire blowouts is high speed driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration truckers are often exceeding the safe limits of speed for commercial trucks. This can cause tires to wear out and cause them blow out.
An attorney with expertise in big rig accidents may be able to help you file a claim for compensation if you have been injured in a trucking accident triggered by blowout. They will examine your situation and determine who is accountable for the crash.
It is also important to consider who was responsible for the tire blowing out. semi truck accident attorney could bring a case of product liability against the manufacturer of the tire for an unfit tire.
A driver could lose control of their truck after an accident with a tire because the vehicle becomes unstable. This could lead to an accident that causes a rollover or jackknife.
A semi-truck or a large truck can cause tire blowouts and cause a change in the vehicle's weight and stability. This can cause the truck to fall over or cause severe injury.
It is important to be aware that a tire blowout could occur at any time, anyplace and is usually an unpreventable accident. The most important thing to remember is that the industry of trucking is highly regulated, which is why it is crucial to comply with all traffic laws and maintain your own vehicle to avoid injury in a trucking accident.
Squeeze-Type Accidents
Commercial trucks, including semi trucks and 18-wheelers require special maneuvering on roads because of their size. 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 vehicle carrying passengers is stuck between a massive tractor trailer, truck, or wall. This can happen when the vehicle is trying to pass a large truck's driver in a turning. This could result in serious injuries and property damage, particularly for smaller vehicles.
Trucks must have plenty of space to maneuver to avoid this kind of accident. It's also essential to be aware of the signals of truck drivers and ensure that they're not making an unintentionally wide right turn, which is often the reason behind squeeze play accidents.
Another reason to take defensive measures around big rigs is the huge cabs of these vehicles are tall, which makes it difficult for drivers of other vehicles to see them in their blind spots. When this happens, a motorist might mistakenly avoid a big rig by turning to the left, even it is apparent that the truck is making a right turn.
This could lead to an asymmetrical collision, where the vehicle in the front of the truck is struck by the side of the big rig and is then forced to turn into different lanes, which can cause multi-vehicle pileups and damage to the truck, occupants of both vehicles, and any other motorists.
A personal injury lawyer with years of experience handling these cases is a great option if you've been injured in a trucking accident due to a squeeze play. They can evaluate your case and determine whether the truck driver is responsible for the incident, and help you file an claim for compensation.