Why Driver Error is the Biggest Cause of Trucking Accidents
Accidents involving trucks can be devastating to anyone involved, so it is crucial to seek the legal advice you need if you or someone you love is injured in an accident.
An experienced personal injury attorney will help you understand more about your rights under the law following a trucking accident. They’ll be able to assist you obtain the compensation you’re entitled to for your injuries and medical expenses.
Driver Error
There are many variables that could cause accidents on trucks but driver error is the most prevalent. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 87% of all accidents were the result of driver error.
This is among the main reasons why it is vital to seek legal representation when you are involved in a collision with a truck. A lawyer who is experienced and at your side can help you get compensation for your injuries as well as other damages.
The first thing an attorney can do to determine the cause of the trucking accident is to gather evidence. This involves examining the truck’s maintenance history and obtaining an expert opinion on the truck’s mechanic condition and even getting the trucking firm to release the logs of its drivers, which are legally required.
Another important step is assessing whether the driver was in violation of hours-of-service regulations. These laws govern how long truck drivers are allowed to operate their truck and also how they are permitted to rest prior to returning to work. Truckers who exceed the FMCSA’s limits could be held responsible for any damage they cause in an accident.
Fatigue is also a main cause of trucking accidents. A tired trucker is less likely react quickly to an emergency and can make dangerous mistakes like driving too fast for weather conditions.
Driver distraction is another frequent cause of trucking accidents. Truck drivers may be distracted by texting, eating or just imagining their daydreams, while using navigational devices or GPS which can make it difficult to respond to emergencies.
Other factors that can result in driver errors are insufficient loading, fatigue, and speeding. Drivers who are distracted are more likely not to pay attention, miss gaps, disregard warning signs or panic. They may also get stuck in a crash.
These mistakes can be committed by anyone however seattle truck wreck lawyer drivers are more likely to make them. This is because they operate a massive, powerful vehicle that requires more attention than smaller passenger vehicles. Additionally, they are under greater pressure to be able to deliver their cargo on time.
Improper Loading
Improper loading of trucks is a major contributor to truck accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry by setting the hours of service, ensuring vehicles are in conformity with weight and size limits and informing drivers about the correct procedures for loading cargo safely.
Unfortunately, truck drivers often ignore these rules in order to get to their destinations faster and avoid paying fines. They also fail to take the proper precautions to be safe when driving.
The consequences of a crash can be dangerous for both the victim and other motorists. They can also cause injury or damage to other motorists who are on the same road as a commercial truck. Truck accidents can involve being rolled over, jackknifing, and colliding with other vehicles.
Drivers can also have issues with steering or braking because of the weight of the loads. This is especially relevant if the load was not secured or shifted properly.
It is imperative to seek medical attention if you are injured in an accident that involves trucks. A personal injury attorney can help you determine who is at fault and what compensation you are entitled.
Overloading a truck can affect its ability to stop in time, leading to rear-end collisions and other traffic accidents. A truck that is loaded can impact its ability to drive, leading to jackknifing and loss of control.
The weather can cause more problems, such as rain or snow falling on cargo tie-downs. This can cause the bungee cords or ropes that attach to the truck to break or slip, and the cargo could fall off the truck.
Unsecure cargo can cause serious injuries and even death to anyone in its path. A Massachusetts attorney can assist you to understand the legal responsibilities of all parties involved in an accident with a truck that was not properly loaded.
If you’ve been injured in an accident with an unloaded truck improperly, it is recommended that you seek compensation for your injuries. Based on the particulars of your situation, you could be entitled to receive monetary compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, suffering and property damage.
Tire blowouts
A tire blowout in a trucking accident can result in death or severe injuries. It can also trigger accidents due to the scattering of debris that could be hit by other vehicles.
Blowouts can result from various factors, including low pressure, worn tires and improper maintenance or inspection of the truck. These incidents could have been avoided in many instances by ensuring that the trucking firm or driver had followed the proper procedures to prevent blowouts.
Federal law requires truck drivers to take frequent breaks and ensure their trucks are in good working order. Truck drivers are required to examine their trucks in depth and immediately report any problems. In some instances, a trucking firm may hire a contractor to perform repairs and inspections, and if it fails to meet its legal obligations in these areas they could be held responsible for any injuries that result from its negligent actions.
One of the main reasons for trucking accident tire blowouts is the high speed driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that many truckers drive at speeds that are not safe permitted for commercial vehicles and can wear down their tires and cause them to blow out.
An attorney who specializes on big rig accidents can help you file a claim for compensate you if you’ve been injured in a trucking accident triggered by blowout. They will examine your situation and determine who is responsible for the crash.
You should also consider who was responsible for the tire that burst. If the tire manufacturer made a defective tire, you may make a claim for product liability against them.
A driver could lose control of their truck after a tire blowout because the vehicle becomes unstable. This can result in the vehicle rolling over or even a jackknife crash.
If a large truck or semi-truck blows out its tires, it may alter the weight balance of the vehicle, which can affect its stability. This could cause the truck to fall over or cause severe injury.
It is crucial to keep in mind that a blowout to a tire can happen at any time and at any time. The most important thing to remember is that the trucking industry is heavily regulated, so it is essential to adhere to all traffic regulations and maintain your own vehicle to avoid injury in a trucking crash.
Squeeze-Type Accidents
As opposed to passenger vehicles, commercial trucks such as semi trucks, 18 wheelers and tractor trailers require specific maneuvering on the road due to their size and weight. Truck drivers are concerned about the safety of these vehicles and their ability to avoid rolling over.
Squeeze play accidents happen when a passenger vehicle gets trapped between a large tractor trailer or a truck and the curb, wall or any other kind of road barrier as it tries to avoid the driver of the big truck in a turn. This could result in serious injuries and property damage, especially for smaller vehicles.
The biggest way to prevent this kind of accident is by giving trucks ample space to move. It’s also essential to be aware of the signals of truck drivers and ensure that they’re not making an abrupt right turn, which is often the reason for squeeze play accidents.
Another reason to be careful around large rigs is the fact that their cabs are extremely tall. This can make it difficult for other drivers to observe their blind spots. A motorist might mistakenly pass a large rig on the right, even though it appears the truck is turning left.
This could result in a sideswipe 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 as well as further damage to the truck, the occupants of both vehicles, as well as other motorists.
A personal injury lawyer with years of experience handling these cases is a great option if you’ve been injured in an accident involving trucks due to the squeeze play. They can evaluate your case and determine whether the truck driver was responsible for the accident, and assist you in filing an action for compensation.