Truck crashes are a serious matter. Since trucks are bigger and heavier than the usual passenger vehicle, just one mistake can cause catastrophic road accidents. Beyond damaging the passenger vehicle, possibly severely, truck accidents may also result in serious, even fatal, injuries. In fact, in 2017 alone, 4,102 people were killed in truck collisions.
But what causes these disastrous accidents? There are many reasons, including, but not limited to, the following:
Trucks have so-called “no zones” – these spaces are the truck’s blind spots, from which the truck driver can’t see you and your vehicle. The known no zones are in front of the truck, on the truck’s sides, and at the truck’s rear. This is why you should never cut in front of a truck, or stay too long at its sides or at the rear. Remember that the truck driver can’t see you from these positions, which may result in a catastrophe.
One way to know whether or not you’re in a no zone is to look at the truck’s side view mirrors. If you can see the truck driver’s face, then the truck driver can see you as well. If, however, the driver’s face is obscured from your view, then you are also hidden from theirs. Always ensure that you can see the driver’s face reflected in the side view mirrors.
Trucking is a tiring, stressful profession. While there are regulations in place to prevent fatigue on the road, many truck drivers still drive upwards of 11 consecutive hours a day. Their routes include hundreds, even thousands of miles. This is because many trucking companies demand that goods be delivered at a certain place within a certain span of time. Truck drivers rarely get quality sleep during this time. Additionally, driving for such long stretches can wear a person down, leading to lost concentration and coordination.
Trucking companies are required by law to perform regular maintenance on their trucks. This is to ensure that their trucks are in top condition before they are deemed road-worthy. Proper maintenance and upkeep can prevent equipment failure which can lead to accidents. All maintenance checks should be documented, too, especially since the trucking company will be held liable if faulty maintenance is suspected to have caused the accident.
There are many ways that equipment can fail. Equipment malfunction can be a result of manufacturing or design errors, poorly constructed roads, incorrect cargo loading, seasonal elements, and more. More often than not, though, it is caused by improper maintenance. Common equipment failures include tire blowouts, brakes that give out, defective steering, and transmission failure, among others.
No matter how careful you are, accidents can still happen. If you have been involved in a truck accident and are looking for a truck accident lawyer in Los Angeles, turn to none other than LA Car Accident Lawyers. We will gladly represent you.
Get in touch with us today for more information on us and our services, as well as a free case evaluation. We would love to hear from you!
