A serious situation like truck wreckage will always be highly traumatic. And if you were the victim, the entire situation would be even more gut-wrenching for you.
So, if you have unfortunately come under such a situation, it might be best to visit a physician first. They will perform a regular check-up on you and ensure you’re alright.
If they give you the green flag, you next should find and hire a Truck Accident Attorneys in Wadesboro, NC. They will come to the scene at the earliest and –
- Look at the accident’s location and how it has been affected.
- How many injuries have you received due to the unfortunate circumstance?
- If your car has received some damage or not.
Furthermore, they’ll also click lots of photos of the entire scene for evidence. Questioning the people at the scene will also be a part of their process.
However, we are not here to discuss what happens after an accident.
Instead, we’ll be focusing on how such a catastrophic incident occurred in the first place. So, we have enlisted five causes of truck accidents and explained them a little.
So, let’s get started with it.
Why Does a Truck Accident Happen?
Whether you believe it or not, truck accidents are quite recurrent in the USA. If we’re looking at a report from 2014, we’ll find that almost 88,000 injuries have already happened due to the titular problem. Here’s what increases the risk of such human-oriented calamities.
Driver Fatigue
If you are feeling sleepy or drowsy, your reaction time will naturally be slower than usual. So, it will take you some time to make a decision. And now, if you consider driving on the road, it will be impossible for you to take a quick turn. That’s where the problem arises.
Hence, if you are too tired, it might be better to take a nap before going for an overnight drive. If needed, you can also take the day off and start your journey on another day altogether. Also, as a truck driver, you must be off work for at least 10 hours before starting to work again.
So, ensure not to violate these rules and take proper care of yourself.
Drug and Alcohol Usage
Drinking has been an issue for truck drivers since the beginning. And if you, too, are involved in a situation like this, it might be better to stay off of that, especially during working days. There are two reasons behind this –
Your reaction time can get reduced by a mile after consuming alcohol. So, if you don’t drive after getting out of the sense of intoxication, you might lose control of the car.
- Alcohol can also affect the stability of your hands over time. Therefore, if you’ve been drinking for a while, it might be difficult to control the handle properly.
- So, it might be better to leave this drinking habit as soon as possible.
Blind Spot
Roads, especially the rural ones, tend to have a lot of blind spots, also known as ‘no zones.’ A U-turn, a house in the corner, or something like that might cause it. In any case, it’ll be impossible for you to see what’s happening on the other side of the road.
You can ensure you’re not striking anyone near the blind spot by blowing your horn before reaching that corner. This way, the driver coming from the other side will be notified about your presence and drive slowly. Or they might stop at their tracks all the way too.
However, if you’re not careful regarding the blind spots, the risk of striking another truck will be high. And it might turn into a deadly accident as well.
Truck Rollover
A truck rollover will only occur when a trucker makes an error on the road and loses control. It can be caused due to driving at a higher speed or something similar.
In some cases, the same problem may also occur due to a brake malfunction, especially when making a turn. Fatigue and inexperience can also lead to these issues.
Finally, a truck rollover can also be caused due to the current weather condition. For example, if it has been raining for a while, the road will naturally be pretty slippery.
So, if you are trying to drive too fast, it might lead to a rollover. And in this case, the accident will be quite serious and potentially life-threatening.
Make sure to drive as slowly as possible, especially if the road is too slippery. Also, don’t forget to blow your horn properly when you are making a turn.
Improper Vehicle Maintenance
A common thing to do in the trucking business is to take care of the vehicle properly and ensure it’s in perfect condition. If it is not, the risk of encountering an accident can get higher than usual. Also, take a helper with you if you are driving at nighttime.
A pair of eyes is always helpful, especially when you are tired and driving in the dark.
Conclusion
The increasing number of truck accidents is a matter of concern that demands attention and proactive measures. Several major reasons contribute to this unfortunate trend, including driver fatigue, distracted driving, inadequate training, improper maintenance, and the pressures of the trucking industry.
Addressing these reasons requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders, including drivers, trucking companies, regulators, and policymakers.
By recognizing the importance of driver well-being and implementing stricter regulations on driving hours and rest periods, we can combat driver fatigue, a leading cause of truck accidents.
Additionally, promoting awareness campaigns on the dangers of distracted driving and enforcing strict penalties for violations can help reduce accidents caused by inattentiveness behind the wheel.
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