A commercial vehicle has one of the most significant impacts on the road. Because of their enormous size, these trucks pose a threat to other cars. Passengers in cars, even in low-speed collisions, may suffer life-threatening injuries or death.
We’ll go through some of the most prevalent causes of commercial vehicle accidents below. Request a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Bothell commercial trucking accident lawyer about your legal options if you were hurt in a collision with an 18-wheeler.
The weather isn’t looking good.
A truck driver’s primary responsibility is to ensure that their rigs are operating as safely as possible, regardless of the weather. When the weather is bad, truck drivers must exercise extraordinary care.
Drivers of 18-wheelers have an increased chance of a collision under the following conditions:
- Strong winds blow.
- Ice.
- Rain.
- Mist.
- Storms.
When confronted with these kinds of road conditions, commercial truck drivers should proceed at a slower pace. Truck drivers may be forced to take a break from the road in order to keep other drivers safe in the event of bad weather. Without taking these precautions, the activities of the truck driver may be deemed negligent, making him or her responsible for any accidents that occur as a result.
The vehicle was in poor shape.
An 18-wheeler must be properly maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in order to be safe to drive. Drivers must examine their trucks at the conclusion of each driving day and do a yearly inspection on all vehicles. A commercial truck’s maintenance includes the following:
- Turning tires.
- Maintaining a suitable tire pressure is essential.
- Headlight and taillight replacement.
- Changing out the brakes.
Routine maintenance and repairs might take a long time, which results in the vehicle having to be taken off the road. In order to keep their trucks on the road, trucking firms may opt to skip necessary repairs or maintenance. A corporation might be held accountable for a truck accident caused by negligent maintenance.
Cargo That Isn’t Properly Loaded.
Another cause of commercial truck accidents is the improper loading of the vehicles. Trucks must be appropriately loaded to avoid tipping and jack-knife incidents by ensuring an uniform distribution of weight.
Trucks may become difficult to control if cargo falls off or shifts in the trailer, thus effective cargo restraint is essential. Cargo that is not properly loaded or secured is a careless behavior that increases the danger of an accident for the driver and other vehicles.
A Driver’s Mistake.
Driver mistake is a frequent cause of commercial truck accidents. Inexperienced drivers are notorious for making careless errors on the road. Specialized abilities and significant training are needed to operate a huge vehicle while pulling a heavy cargo. These vehicles need more room to halt and fix a mistake in a commercial truck is considerably more difficult than in a conventional passenger car.
As a result of the trucking company’s irresponsible employment procedures, it may be possible to hold the driver accountable for his acts.
Fatigue.
When it comes to commercial truck driving, fatigue is a major safety risk. The corporation relies on drivers to deliver cargo fast in order to stay on schedule and avoid incurring losses. It is possible for a motorist to fall asleep at the wheel or have a hard time staying awake while behind the wheel if they are tired.
For this reason, the FMCSA mandates a minimum amount of sleep for commercial truck drivers after each shift. It’s a must for drivers to keep track of this period of time.
Trucking corporations, on the other hand, may pressure their drivers to disregard these restrictions and continue driving when they should not be doing so. FMCSA rest restrictions may be breached if they result in an accident that injures someone else.
Final thoughts:
Bothell commercial trucker accident lawyers may assist you if you’ve been hurt in a collision with an 18-wheeler. A personal injury attorney’s job is to hold the irresponsible parties responsible for the damages that victims have incurred, and they fight hard to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
A free, no-obligation consultation may be requested from them, in which lawyers will analyze your case and educate you of your legal alternatives for obtaining compensation for damages. There will be no up-front costs, and you only have to pay if we are successful in getting you a settlement.
