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Staying Safe on the Roads
Accidents involving trucks can be more devastating than a normal accident involving passenger vehicles. The sheer size difference between trucks and passenger cars coupled with the longer amount of time needed for a truck to slow down means that the damage caused by a truck accident can be deadly.
Trucking accidents can occur for various reasons, and regardless of the reason, it’s important to know your rights and seek proper representation if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. Here are 5 of the most common causes of truck accidents.
1: Drowsy/Distracted Drivers
Truck drivers often have strict deadlines to meet, and although many states have requirements for truck drivers to stop and rest after a certain amount of time driving, many ignore this and continue to press on in order to meet their deadlines. This can create dangerous drowsy driving situations; driving with no rest can lead to low reaction times and poor decision-making.
In addition, some drivers have become so accustomed to their work that they are more comfortable using cell phones while driving or engaging in other activities. However, as they look away from the road, they increase the chance of causing a truck accident.
2: Inclement Weather
The roads in Ohio can get dangerous when it rains or snows, and the heavier weight of trucks coupled with the longer time required to slow down or turn can make it difficult for truck drivers to safely navigate inclement weather. If a truck is going too fast or turns wrong, it can create a dangerous accident.
3: Manufacturing Errors
Sometimes accidents are unavoidable if the equipment used fails; manufacturing errors can occur regardless of what a driver tries to do to avoid an impending crash. Trucks can sometimes be made with faulty brakes, loose parts, and other defects, and when those errors go undetected and unfixed, it can lead to a serious truck accident.
4: Improper Truck Maintenance
Every vehicle needs to undergo routine inspections and maintenance in order to remain safe to drive and to function properly, and trucks are no exception. Truck drivers have a responsibility and an obligation to maintain proper upkeep on their vehicles, and failure to do so could lead to significant liability issues if the truck is involved in an accident.
5: Passenger Vehicle Driver Error
Unfortunately, passenger vehicles can sometimes cause trucking accidents because of driver error; however, this fact shows that trucks are not following proper defensive driving techniques. If a truck driver is following other vehicles too closely or fails to use a turn signal, for example, that could cause a nearby passenger vehicle to experience issues and cause an accident.
Injured in a Truck Accident? Secure Representation
If you’ve experienced a trucking accident, no doubt many things may be running through your mind; you may be fearful of the road to recovery ahead or may worry about how to pay your medical bills or cover for lost wages due to missed time at work. The team at HMW Law can help you file a claim and seek the damages you deserve for a truck driver’s negligence.
Call us today at 216-369-1352 or visit our website to get started
