Tractor-trailers, or any commercial truck for that matter, are essential to the American economy. However, as our economy recovers and more and more tractor-trailers travel American highways, these mechanical mammoths need to have more and more competent operators behind the wheel. Unfortunately, when there is a buck to be made, people, including truck carriers, will often turn the other cheek to potentially make a few extra dollars. Practices such as hiring unqualified drivers, violating national hour of service laws, and rigging log books all can lead to accidents that seriously injure innocent citizens.
COMMON CAUSES OF TRUCKING ACCIDENTS
Drunk driving: Believe it or not, drunk truck drivers are a main cause of trucking accidents. Drug use is also a problem amongst truck drivers, especially methamphetamine, which is used to get a truck driver through a dangerously long haul.
Distracted Driver: We are living in the technology age, and while this has many, many benefits, there are also some downsides. One of them being the constant need to be connected and checking of cell phones. Just like us, truck drivers have cell phones that they check while driving, along with other devices in their cockpit such as radios and dispatch devices.
Driver Fatigue: A very common problem amongst truck drivers due to the nature of their job, driver fatigue has been a target of recent legislation limiting truck drivers’ drive times. However, most drivers will attempt to get around the laws by fudging their log books. Also, the new legal amount of operation time for a driver is still a long time without sleep.
Illegal Maneuver: Tractor-trailers are extremely large vehicles, and when they are not operated properly they can cause serious damage. An illegal maneuver such as rolling through a stop sign, yielding at an intersection, or failing to check if lane is clear before switching can mean damage.
Mechanical Error: Being the large machines that tractor-trailers are, they also have a lot of parts. If these parts are not maintained properly, they can malfunction and cause an accident. Worn out tires, faulty brakes, or other defective parts will lead to an accident.
Poor weather conditions: During severe weather, such as torrential downpours, heavy fog, snow storms, or icy weather can severely hinder a trucker’s ability to operate their rig. Also, due to poor road conditions, it can affect the time it takes for a truck to slow down and stop as well.
Overloaded cargo: If a truck is overloaded with cargo, it will affect the way the truck handles and can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Also, overloaded cargo may not be properly secured and cause the cargo to spill out of the truck, and become hazardous to other drivers.
CONTACT PINELLAS COUNTY TRUCKING ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS DOLMAN LAW GROUP
When tractor-trailers are involved in accidents with regular motor vehicles, the results can be deadly. This summer, famous comedian and actor Tracy Morgan was involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer that killed one of his friends, and he has kept him in the hospital. It was found the driver of the truck suffered from extreme fatigue at the time of the accident.
If you, a loved one, or someone you know was seriously injured in a trucking accident that you believe was caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced trucking accident attorneys at Dolman Law Group will aggressively fight to hold those negligent responsible for the accidents they have caused and will get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation at 727-451-6900 or via our online contact form.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-451-6900
Visit: http://www.dolmanlaw.com/practice-area/truck-accident/
COMMON CAUSES OF TRUCKING ACCIDENTS
Drunk driving: Believe it or not, drunk truck drivers are a main cause of trucking accidents. Drug use is also a problem amongst truck drivers, especially methamphetamine, which is used to get a truck driver through a dangerously long haul.
Distracted Driver: We are living in the technology age, and while this has many, many benefits, there are also some downsides. One of them being the constant need to be connected and checking of cell phones. Just like us, truck drivers have cell phones that they check while driving, along with other devices in their cockpit such as radios and dispatch devices.
Driver Fatigue: A very common problem amongst truck drivers due to the nature of their job, driver fatigue has been a target of recent legislation limiting truck drivers’ drive times. However, most drivers will attempt to get around the laws by fudging their log books. Also, the new legal amount of operation time for a driver is still a long time without sleep.
Illegal Maneuver: Tractor-trailers are extremely large vehicles, and when they are not operated properly they can cause serious damage. An illegal maneuver such as rolling through a stop sign, yielding at an intersection, or failing to check if lane is clear before switching can mean damage.
Mechanical Error: Being the large machines that tractor-trailers are, they also have a lot of parts. If these parts are not maintained properly, they can malfunction and cause an accident. Worn out tires, faulty brakes, or other defective parts will lead to an accident.
Poor weather conditions: During severe weather, such as torrential downpours, heavy fog, snow storms, or icy weather can severely hinder a trucker’s ability to operate their rig. Also, due to poor road conditions, it can affect the time it takes for a truck to slow down and stop as well.
Overloaded cargo: If a truck is overloaded with cargo, it will affect the way the truck handles and can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Also, overloaded cargo may not be properly secured and cause the cargo to spill out of the truck, and become hazardous to other drivers.
CONTACT PINELLAS COUNTY TRUCKING ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS DOLMAN LAW GROUP
When tractor-trailers are involved in accidents with regular motor vehicles, the results can be deadly. This summer, famous comedian and actor Tracy Morgan was involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer that killed one of his friends, and he has kept him in the hospital. It was found the driver of the truck suffered from extreme fatigue at the time of the accident.
If you, a loved one, or someone you know was seriously injured in a trucking accident that you believe was caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced trucking accident attorneys at Dolman Law Group will aggressively fight to hold those negligent responsible for the accidents they have caused and will get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation at 727-451-6900 or via our online contact form.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-451-6900
Visit: http://www.dolmanlaw.com/practice-area/truck-accident/
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