Truck Accidents’ Most Common Causes
Many times, one or more drivers’ careless acts result in semi-truck accidents. Accidents frequently result from the actions—or lack thereof—of the truck driver. Given their size and weight, we would like to believe that the drivers of these large trucks are more likely to behave appropriately while driving them. Unfortunately, this is in no way the case. Instead, semi-truck accidents still cause numerous serious injuries and occasionally even fatalities to drivers in our state.
In Dallas, there are seven main reasons why trucks and cars collide:
- Speeding: When a truck driver speeds to make a deadline, they are acting recklessly. Attempting to drive an 80,000-pound vehicle faster than the posted speed limit is never a good idea. It is challenging to stop when you have so much size and weight behind you.
- Blind Spots: How to avoid the blind areas is one of the first things new drivers are taught when preparing for a semi-truck driving exam. Most truck mirror systems do not provide the driver with a full view of what is behind them. Loud engine noise frequently drowns out any honks from anxious cars. They cannot see other vehicles and can easily side-swipe them without meaning to.
- Carelessness or Recklessness: Some truck drivers simply don’t care when they assume that other drivers must yield to them due of their vast size. They behave in a thoughtless and reckless manner. Because not all motorists who share the road with these enormous trucks do so, the results can be deadly.
- Highway Hypnosis: This condition, which is described as a trance-like mood or state, is brought on by hundreds of miles of driving while gazing at the same boring roadside scenery. Eventually, a driver might become distracted, which might make it difficult for them to respond effectively.
- Heavy Loads: The balance of an 18-wheeler truck may be harmed by heavy loads. When hauling an excessively large load, it becomes more challenging for a trucker to manoeuvre and stop the truck, even at regular speeds. Furthermore, when a heavily loaded truck collides with a much smaller passenger car, the damage is considerably worse. Tractor-trailer trucks and tanker trucks are recognised for transporting huge loads, even though dump vehicles and garbage trucks are usually just as dangerous.
- Inadequate Maintenance: To avoid mechanical failure, semi trucks must be maintained. Even the most careful truck driver has a much higher chance of having an accident when a truck is improperly maintained. Unfortunately, a mechanical problem with the suspension or brakes is all it takes for an accident to be lethal.
- Sleep Deprivation: Like everyone else, truck drivers make mistakes when they are overworked or worn out. It’s important to realise that a lot of seasoned truckers are paid per mile and so want to push their body to the utmost limit in order to earn a greater wage. Because of this, a lot of commercial truck drivers overwork themselves and end up falling asleep at the wheel. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) now allows truck drivers to travel for up to 11 hours straight. Several truck drivers were found to have faked their hours-of-service records in an effort to appease their bosses or increase their pay. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of tractor-trailer crashes in our state are typically caused by truck driver weariness.
Commercial vehicle categories involved in these collisions
Every day in our state, commercial vehicle collisions occur that cause catastrophic injury to those involved. Many people picture enormous 18-wheelers when they think of truck accidents. However, these accidents might involve a variety of commercial vehicle types. Commercial vehicles come in several forms, such as:
- Big rigs
- Flatbed trucks
- Street sweepers
- Armored trucks
- Cement trucks
- Box trucks
- Garbage trucks
- 18-wheelers
- Tanker trucks
- Marcellus shale trucks
- Coal trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Logging trucks
- Tow trucks
In general, truck accident rules and regulations may apply if a commercial driver’s licence is needed to operate the vehicle. If this applies to your accident, you need to contact our knowledgeable legal team at Rasansky Law Firm right once.
Any collision involving a commercial truck has the potential to cause excruciating agony and suffering. Injured parties must act quickly to file a lawsuit in order to maximise their prospects of receiving justice after suffering harm. Your potential to obtain justice after suffering harm can significantly change if you file a truck accident claim in a timely manner.
