8 Of The Deadliest Causes of Tractor Trailer Accidents
We all know that the trucking industry powers America. Without the U.S. trucking fleet, we would be faced with a drastic shortage of supplies being delivered to the American public. While the trucking industry is very important, the large numbers of heavy trucks do pose an increased risk for other drivers. Like everyone, truck drivers make mistakes too. But, when a driver makes a mistake in a heavy truck, those accidents can be deadly, as those crashes often involve fatalities. Here are 8 of the deadliest causes of truck accidents, including semi truck accidents and tractor trailer accidents:
Not Keeping A Proper Lookout Due to Distracted Driving
The manual for commercial drivers licenses (CDL) says that truck drivers should always be looking 12 to 15 seconds ahead to watch out for hazards in the road. This is about 1 block at low speeds and a 1/4 mile at highway speeds. Because stopping or changing lanes in a large truck takes a lot of distance, looking ahead is important. Truck drivers often fail to look far enough ahead for brake lights from slowing vehicles and cars that are turning or changing lanes. Distracted driving, such as texting or eating while driving, can significantly impair a truck driver’s ability to keep a proper lookout.
Lane Changes
It is hard to see a small car that is sitting in a truck driver’s blind spot. The CDL manual indicates that truck drivers should check their mirrors before changing lanes to make sure there’s enough room for both the truck and any passenger vehicle. Then, check again after signalling to make sure no one has moved in their blind spots. Finally, truck drivers should check their mirrors right after starting the lane change to double-check that the path is clear. Improper lane changes are a common driver error that can lead to serious accidents.
Crossing Traffic
Truck drivers will need a much larger gap in traffic to cross into or enter traffic. This is caused by the slow acceleration of trucks as well as the space large trucks need to fully occupy a lane. Many accidents occur when a driver fell asleep at the wheel due to exhaustion. These factors significantly increase the risk of semi truck accidents when crossing traffic.
Stopping On The Side of the Roadway
Drivers frequently crash into the back of trucks that are parked because they think it is moving normally. It is extremely important for a truck driver to use his four-way emergency flashers and place warning signals behind his truck whenever he stops on the side of the road. Truck drivers should not trust their taillights to give enough warning. Warning devices should be placed at intervals of 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic. The behavior of drivers in other vehicles, such as a passenger vehicle not noticing a parked truck, can significantly contribute to accidents.
Not Allowing For Stopping Distances
To get a CDL, truck drivers need to know that it takes 450 feet to stop at a speed of 55 mph. They should be able to calculate stopping distances at different speeds. There are several distance calculations that truck drivers should know:
Perception distance: This is the distance that a vehicle travels from the time your eyes see a hazard until your brain recognizes it as a hazard. For an alert driver, the perception time is about 3/4 of a second. So, traveling at 55 mph, your vehicle will travel about 60 feet in 3/4 of a second.
Reaction distance: This is the distance that your vehicle travels from the time your brain tells your foot to hit the brake until your foot actually pushes the brake pedal. The typical driver has a reaction time of about 3/4 of a second. So, reaction distance would account for yet another 60 feet traveled at 55 mph.
Braking distance: This is the distance that it takes for a vehicle to stop when the brakes are engaged. Traveling at 55 mph on dry roads, it can take a heavy vehicle about 390 feet or 4 1/2 seconds to brake and come to a stop.
Understanding these calculations is crucial in preventing semi truck accidents.
Driving In Adverse Weather Conditions Leading to Large Truck Crashes
The CDL manual advises truck drivers to avoid driving in foggy conditions. Fog is often unexpected and visibility can deteriorate quickly, drivers are cautioned to watch out for foggy conditions and reduce their speed. Truck drivers should use their 4 way flashers in foggy conditions. In such conditions, the risk of collisions with a passenger vehicle increases significantly.
In rainy or snowy weather, truck drivers should reduce their speed by at least 1/3. So, for example, in rain or snow, truck drivers should reduce their speed in a 55 mph zone to 35 mph. Adverse weather conditions can lead to poor directional control, increasing the risk of accidents.
Whether the insurance company contacts you quickly or not, the faster you seek legal advice from a lawyer who knows truck accidents, the better. With a tractor trailer crash, prompt investigation is critical to successfully recovering money damages in your case. Because accidents involving tractor trailers are devastating, making sure that things like skid mark measurements and impact marks are preserved are often essential to a good recovery.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is a significant cause of truck accidents, contributing to a substantial number of crashes each year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver fatigue is a factor in up to 30% of all truck accidents. This alarming statistic underscores the importance of addressing fatigue among truck drivers. Driver fatigue is a significant factor in many semi truck accidents, leading to severe consequences.
Several factors can lead to driver fatigue, including insufficient sleep, long hours behind the wheel, and the physical demands of the job. Truck drivers are required to adhere to hours of service regulations, which limit the number of hours they can drive without taking a break. These regulations are designed to ensure that drivers get adequate rest and remain alert on the road.
However, some trucking companies may pressure drivers to exceed these limits to meet tight delivery schedules. This pressure can lead to driver fatigue, impairing a driver’s ability to react to traffic situations and increasing the risk of an accident. The consequences of driver fatigue can be severe, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage.
To prevent driver fatigue, trucking companies should provide adequate rest breaks, monitor driver hours, and promote a culture of safety. Drivers can also take steps to prevent fatigue by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and taking regular breaks during their shifts.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue, it is crucial to seek the help of an experienced tractor trailer accident lawyer. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Driver Error
Driver error is a leading cause of truck accidents, accounting for a significant percentage of crashes on the road. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver error is responsible for more than half of all truck accidents. This alarming statistic highlights the critical need for addressing driver-related issues within the trucking industry.
Several factors contribute to driver error, including fatigue, distraction, aggressive driving, and failure to adhere to traffic laws. For instance, driver fatigue can severely impair a truck driver’s ability to react promptly to traffic situations, leading to devastating consequences. Similarly, distracted driving, whether due to texting, eating, or other activities, can divert a driver’s attention from the road, increasing the risk of accidents.
The consequences of driver error can be severe, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage. To mitigate these risks, trucking companies must prioritize regular training and enforce stringent safety policies. Proper training ensures that drivers are well-versed in safe driving practices and aware of the potential hazards they may encounter on the road.
Additionally, adherence to hours of service regulations is crucial in preventing driver fatigue. These regulations limit the number of hours a truck driver can operate without taking a break, ensuring they get adequate rest. By promoting a culture of safety and providing regular rest breaks, trucking companies can significantly reduce the incidence of driver error.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident caused by driver error, seeking the assistance of an experienced truck accident lawyer is essential. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Blind Spots
Blind spots, also known as “no-zones,” are areas around a truck that the driver cannot see, and they can be a major cause of truck accidents. These blind spots are typically located directly in front of the truck, along the sides, and behind the trailer. The design of the truck, the position of the mirrors, and the presence of other vehicles can all contribute to the creation of blind spots.
The FMCSA has reported that blind spots are a leading cause of truck accidents, particularly when trucks are changing lanes or merging with traffic. When a truck driver cannot see other vehicles in their blind spots, the risk of a collision increases significantly. This is why it is crucial for truck drivers to be aware of their blind spots and take extra precautions when maneuvering their vehicles.
To prevent accidents caused by blind spots, truck drivers should use their mirrors and, if available, cameras and other safety devices to monitor their surroundings. Regular training on safe driving practices can also help truck drivers become more aware of their blind spots and how to manage them effectively.
Trucking companies play a vital role in preventing blind spot-related accidents by providing their drivers with the necessary tools and training. This includes equipping trucks with advanced safety features such as blind spot detection systems and ensuring that drivers are well-trained in their use.
The consequences of blind spot-related accidents can be severe, including fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage. Therefore, it is essential for the trucking industry to take proactive measures to address this issue. By implementing safety regulations and promoting awareness, the risk of accidents caused by blind spots can be significantly reduced.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident due to blind spots, it is crucial to seek the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer. An experienced lawyer can help you understand your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Experienced Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyers for Truck Accident Cases
The five lawyers at the Ritchie Law Firm have more 145 years of combined experienced handling truck accident cases. See our tractor trailer accident Case Results here. Throughout the nearly half century history of the Ritchie Law Firm, our lawyers have handled thousands of devastating crash cases involving serious and complex injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, multiple bone fractures, and even death. Just as experienced drivers are crucial for road safety, experienced lawyers are essential for successfully handling complex truck accident cases.
Cases involving both a truck and a passenger vehicle can be particularly complex, requiring experienced legal representation.
You should not have to bear the financial burden of a wreck that was caused by a negligent truck driver. Accidents involving tractor trailers are devastating. At the Ritchie Law Firm, we can help you hold the other driver accountable and help you get the compensation you need to pay your bills and recover.
Talk with a Virginia and West Virginia Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a large truck or tractor trailer, you might be contacted by the trucking company’s insurance representative very quickly. Sometimes, insurance companies will try to call you as soon as the day after the accident. Before you talk to any insurance company, you should get the advice of an experienced truck accident lawyer. Most lawyers will give you a free consultation to talk about what you might be entitled to receive. At the Ritchie Law Firm, you can talk to an experienced truck accident lawyer for free . . . NO STRINGS ATTACHED!!
If you or a loved one suffered significant injuries in a truck or tractor trailer accident in Virginia, Ritchie Law Firm is here to help. The experienced, certified attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm has helped thousands of injured victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve after an accident. The Ritchie Law Firm has extensive experience in handling semi truck accidents, ensuring that victims receive the compensation they deserve. The Ritchie Law Firm has extensive experience in handling cases involving motor vehicle crashes, ensuring that victims receive the compensation they deserve.
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Ritchie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm devoted to helping individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. Ritchie Law Firm serves all of Virginia, while helping clients in cities and surrounding areas of Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Winchester and also serves clients in West Virginia, including Martinsburg, WV. Our experienced team is well-versed in the leading causes of most truck accidents, ensuring comprehensive legal support for our clients.
