The Law for Accidents's blog

Trucking Accidents - Most Common Causes of 18 Wheeler Trucking Accidents

Driving a vehicle is always a dangerous task. There are a very view aspects of driving that an individual control, but the most dangerous part of driving is not knowing what the car in front or behind is going to do. Not knowing the results of another person’s actions is the most dangerous factor in driving a vehicle. When it comes to larger vehicles, such as 18 wheeler trucks, there are even more uncontrollable factors that a person cannot control. 18 Wheelers are perhaps the most dangerous vehicle, and there are a number of common reasons for their accidents.

This information is provided as a reference and for educational purposes only, contact an experienced Mesa Truck Accident attorney for legal and related counsel.

Driver Fatigue

Perhaps the most common cause of an 18 wheeler accident is because the driver is tired and is not completely aware of what is happening on the road. Truckers spend several hours on the road without any rest and this can cause them to become fatigued and potentially dangerous to the drivers around them. While becoming fatigued is not preventable for truckers, it is possible for them to decide and pull off the road and rest. Knowing when to take a break and rest is the most controllable factor that a trucker has on the road, but many times they think they can continue driving and not endanger the other drivers.

Texting and Driving

With modern technology, people have the ability to communicate with one another without ever speaking a word. Texting is one of the most popular tasks that people do on their regular cell phones and smart phones. While texting is a great way to stay in contact with friend or family, it is not great to be doing while a person is driving a vehicle. Texting causes the driver to focus their attention off of the road and on their phone. When a person is driving an 18 wheeler, there is even more risk because there are blind spots on the road, and there is more weight being hauled behind the driver than in a regular car. Texting accidents are becoming more frequent and cause some of the worst injuries to those involved.

Drugs and Alcohol

Driving under the influence is always a problem no matter what type of vehicle is being driven. Alcohol makes a person less capable of reacting to an incident on the road. While some people say that they are capable of driving and drinking, those are the ones that are the most dangerous because they truly believe that their reflexes and judgments are unaffected. When driving a large vehicle, such as an 18 wheeler, there are even more precautions that need to be taken to ensure the safety of the driver and others. When the driver is drinking, they are less likely to notice any problems with their brakes or cargo, and this can lead to a number of problems for the driver of the truck and everyone else around them.

Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm, has provided this article for informational purposes only, written by an independent author, and has not reviewed or edited this article and is not responsible for its content or accuracy.

Motor Vehicle Safety Tips

In the year 2009, roughly 5.5 million car accidents occurred in the U.S. Of those large numbers, 31,000 accidents resulted in death. If an individual or family unit wishes to prevent such a scenario from happening to them, there are motor vehicle safety tips below for their consideration.

1.  Drive Carefully.
   A car accident can easily occur if one or more of the drivers involved were not paying apt attention to their speed. For this reason, a driver may want to make sure that they are going the speed limit, and that they are aware of the other cars on the road, no matter the hour of the day.
2. Do Not Drive While Tired.
   A driver may not be able to concentrate fully on the task at hand if they are tired and feel the need to sleep. Only a driver that is adequately awake and able to focus should be exposed to the steering wheel.
3. Have Car Checked.
   For Problems Should a part of the car malfunction, such as the brakes, this can cause a car to lose control and bring about an accident. Auto repair shops can be called to look everything over and make sure that the various parts of the car are working properly.
4. Wear Seat Belts.
   In many areas of the country not wearing a seat belt is against the law. When this law is followed there is less of a chance for injury for anybody during an incident.

This article is provided as information only and not intended as legal advice in any means or manner whatsoever, Attorney Elan Wurtzel P.C. provides focused legal counsel within the area of Car Accidents, and has provided this for informational purposes only.