All types of road accidents are horrible, but things can be even messier when the road accident involves a big truck. Whether you have been a truck driver your whole life or have just started driving a big lorry, you can never stop learning about safety measures on the road.
Unfortunately, truck accidents are far too common and often lead to horrendous results. Luckily, there are legal steps you can take to avoid such unfortunate circumstances and by hiring a truck accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer, you can make sure that your rights are protected in the event you get involved in an accident. Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents and how you can avoid them, so you and everyone else on the road stay safe.
Driving While Tired
Driving is a task that requires every bit of attention from the driver, especially if they are taking a truck on a highway. If the driver is feeling too exhausted or fatigued in any way, this could impair their driving and lead to being involved in serious or fatal accidents. When the driver is overworked, they can involuntarily fall asleep while driving, which will have disastrous results. If you drive a truck, it is vital that you only sit behind the wheel when you are certain you will remain awake and have enough energy to drive cautiously. Do not rely on energy drinks or caffeine to keep you going if you have not slept or rested well enough as you can lose focus easily.
Faulty Truck Parts
One of the main causes of truck accidents is faulty or damaged parts. All companies in Chicago employing drivers using their trucks to transport products have a legal responsibility to keep their trucks maintained and safe with proper parts and trucking equipment. If you are a trucker involved in an accident that was caused by defective parts and equipment, you must seek legal assistance for truck drivers, so that you can get your full rights and proper compensation. As a trucker, it is crucial to always check all the important parts of your vehicle before and after every journey to ensure you and everyone else on the road are safe.
Poor Training
Driving a truck is not like driving any other small vehicle. Truckers need specific training to entitle them to sit behind a lorry steering wheel and transport items and products while driving long distances on various road types and conditions. If the trucker does not receive the proper training or if they do not pay enough attention to that training, they can cause massive accidents and risk everyone’s lives. In order to avoid these risks, it is essential that every truck driver undergoes the proper training procedures and successfully pass any tests necessary before they can drive anywhere.
Loading Errors
Trucks are made to be loaded with goods and different items in order to be transported from one place to another. Usually, these vehicles are loaded with tons of heavy items, and if the loading is not done properly and checked for safety, it can cause accidents. If you find yourself involved in a truck accident, you may consider visiting the website https://www.aronfeld.com/practice-areas/truck-accidents/.
Therefore, it is key that the driver checks the loading is done properly before driving away. They will need to see that everything is put into the correct place, the load is properly balanced, and that the doors are locked safely so that nothing falls out while on the road.
Bad Weather Conditions
Weather conditions play a huge role in many road accidents, especially those involving trucks. Certain extreme weather conditions like heavy rain or strong winds can cause the truck to slide and divert from its path, which can lead to horrific accidents. It is wise for truckers to take the safest route of not driving at all when the weather is too harsh, to avoid such accidents. If their truck allows it, they can park on the side of the road safely and sleep, or hang tight until the weather improves rather than drive and risk their safety.
Truck accidents are very common all over the world. They can be extremely traumatic and lead to disastrous consequences. Many accidents could have been avoided if truckers followed safety rules and kept their vehicles well-maintained. If you are a truck driver, make sure you get the proper training you need before getting behind the wheel and do not hesitate to park on the side of the road and wait for help if you believe something is wrong with your vehicle or if the weather is too extreme. Ultimately, you must ensure that you, and everyone driving on the same road as you, are all safe. In the event of an accident, make sure to protect your rights by hiring experienced truck and auto accident attorney services.