Truck accidents are a leading cause of death and injury in America. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 36,000 people killed in truck accidents in 2015, and over 300,000 injured.
If you’re in an accident with a big rig, the driver’s insurance company is going to do its best to convince you that it was your fault. This is why it’s so important to consult with truck accident attorneys phoenix before deciding how to handle your truck accident claim. A lawyer can help you determine whether the other driver was at fault—and if they were, they’ll make sure you get compensated for all the trouble they put you through. Read on to learn more about the top causes of trucking accidents that often lead to catastrophic injuries.
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Why are trucking accidents often fatal?
Truck accidents are not just dangerous and expensive, they can also be fatal. When a trucking accident occurs, it can lead to serious injuries or even death.
Truck drivers are more likely to be involved in a crash than other drivers on the road, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The number of fatalities has increased by nearly 40% since 1999, and more than 1,000 people died in truck-related crashes last year alone. Most of these crashes involve trucks that are over 6 feet tall or weigh more than 26,000 pounds.
The most common types of truck crashes include head-on collisions with another vehicle or object such as a bridge pillar or guardrail, rear-end collisions with another vehicle or object like a guardrail or utility pole, and rollovers where the truck tips over onto its side after hitting an obstacle at high speed.
Truck accidents are fatal because they involve large vehicles, like semis or tractor-trailers, which are much larger than passenger cars. These vehicles have their own safety systems that can fail in an accident. They also have a lot more metal and glass to absorb the impact of the crash, so if one of those things breaks, it will cause more damage than it would in a smaller vehicle.
The common cause of trucking accidents.
Traffic accidents involving large trucks are often fatal because the truck driver may not see the smaller car being hit from behind. This means there is no time for them to react before hitting the car and causing severe injuries or death.
In order to prevent these types of accidents from occurring, it is important for truck drivers and carriers to take safety precautions when operating their vehicles.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
Driver fatigue
Driver fatigue is a common cause of truck accidents. Truck drivers are subject to long hours behind the wheel, which can contribute to fatigue. While drivers are required to take regular breaks, many drivers will often fall asleep behind the wheel, causing an accident. The driver can be fatigued by long periods of sitting or standing, as well as from day-long driving. As a result, they may have difficulty keeping track of their driving time and may become disoriented.
This can be particularly dangerous if you are driving a semi-truck. The longer your drive time is, the more rest you need to make sure that you are able to drive safely. Driving for long periods of time, especially at night or in inclement weather, can make it difficult to maintain focus and alertness. If you’re fatigued, your decision-making abilities may be impaired, which can lead to collisions or other unsafe situations. Drivers should plan their routes so they do not have any long drives with little rest breaks in between.
If you see flashing brake lights or a truck that seems to be struggling for control, you should slow down and allow them to pass safely. If it’s safe to do so, try to pass them on the right side if possible.
Inattention by the driver
Drivers who are distracted by their cell phones, passengers, or other drivers are more likely to crash. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that distracted driving was involved in more than 10 percent of all fatal crashes and contributed to nearly a quarter of all injury crashes.
A truck driver may be distracted by something in their truck or even by something outside of the vehicle. Distractions can be anything from a phone call, to using GPS, to eating while driving. The more distractions there are, the more likely it is that drivers will become distracted and cause an accident.
Inattention can also happen when drivers are tired or distracted by passengers in their vehicles. This can cause the driver to miss warning signs and other dangers on the road, leading them into an accident with another vehicle or object on the road.
Truck drivers are required by law to have proper rest before driving so they can maintain alertness during their shifts and avoid accidents due to fatigue and inattention caused by other factors such as distraction or stress.
Improperly maintained equipment
Improperly maintained equipment is the number one cause of truck accidents. While it may seem like a small issue, when you look at the bigger picture, this can be one of the leading causes of truck accidents. It’s important to keep your equipment in good working order and make sure that it’s always running smoothly. If you notice any problems with your equipment, call a professional immediately so that you can get them fixed as soon as possible. Truck drivers are required to have their vehicles inspected and repaired by a certified mechanic before driving on public roads. If a truck is not properly maintained, it can lead to an accident resulting in injury or even death.
Poor road conditions
This can be a major cause of truck accidents. It’s important to drive slowly and cautiously on roads with poor road conditions, especially if you’re driving a truck or vehicle that has a heavy load. When you’re driving too fast, even in good road conditions, you can lose control of your vehicle and end up in an accident. If someone is injured or killed because of poor road conditions, the driver could face criminal charges.
You may notice that there are potholes in your lane or that you have to take an extra turn to get where you need to go. Be sure that you can see around corners and make sure that there aren’t any trees or other objects in the way of your vision. When a truck hits a pothole or bump on the road, this causes the tires to lose traction. The driver can then lose control of the truck and it may crash into another vehicle or object.
Another reason for poor road conditions is ice, snow, or sleet. When this happens, motorists must slow down and drive with extra caution because it’s impossible to see anything ahead of them.
If you hit a pothole or bump in the road and lose control of your vehicle, don’t panic. Instead, use your emergency brake and steer away from any oncoming traffic before getting out and inspecting the damage to your truck.
Driving too fast for conditions
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, drivers who drive too fast for the conditions are more likely to crash, because they may not be able to stop in time. The higher speed also increases the damage caused by a collision with another vehicle or object. The faster you go, the more likely it is that you’ll hit something.
Additionally, driving too fast for conditions can lead to fatigue or driver distraction. These factors can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and increase their chances of crashing into other cars or objects along the road.
Final Thoughts
In this article, you’ve got a glance at some of the most common causes of truck accidents. Just remember that it’s always important to avoid putting yourself into a dangerous situation. It can be easy to get complacent in these scenarios, but remaining vigilant is the difference between life and death.
When it comes to truck accidents, most of them are due to the negligence or carelessness of other parties involved like other motorists, pedestrians or local government. It is therefore important for any motorist on the road to know what these common causes of truck accidents are and how they can avoid them. If you are in an accident of any kind, call a lawyer and get the legal advice you need. Truck accidents can be particularly complex and overwhelming if you do not know what to do.
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Credits to Jason M. Ferguson
Jason M. Ferguson, the founder of Ferguson Law Group, started his career working for an automobile insurance company as a trial attorney before owning his injury law firm for over 20 years. Attorney Ferguson has a unique experience, having tried cases on both sides of the court system in personal injury trials, unlike many other lawyers. Mr. Ferguson also served over 14 years as an Army Reserve officer and the Georgia Air National Guard. The Albany Herald recognized him as one of southwest Georgia’s “40 under 40” in 2010.
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.