Trucking remains a major mode for transporting goods in the United States. With so much traffic and so many trucks on our highways, accidents with these big rigs are sometimes inevitable. Sometimes, a truck accident occurs because of driver fault and sometimes, it occurs because of equipment failure. Unfortunately, when an accident occurs between a passenger car and a truck, the truck generally wins and injuries are rarely minor.
Truck accidents generally result in serious injuries, which is no surprise when you consider the fact that the legal weight (in the U.S.) for an eighteen wheeler is 80,000 lbs. (i.e. 40 tons) compared to the average automobile which weighs somewhere around 5,000 lbs. This weight is without an oversize or overweight permit.
What are the potential causes of an accident between a truck and passenger vehicle?
• Driving too fast and/or too close.
The length of time for an eighteen wheeler to stop is generally 40% greater than that of an automobile. Of course, this may change depending on the weight of load the truck is carrying, whether or not the truck is bobtailing (i.e. the truck is being driven without the an attached trailer), and depending road conditions and other factors. So, if a truck driver is driving too fast for the road and/or weather conditions and/or fails to keep a safe distance between him and the vehicle in front of him, he can cause a major accident if traffic in front of him suddenly stops.
• Driver Fatigue.
Pursuant to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, a truck driver must keep a log, showing his hours of operation (driving) and his off-duty hours. There are strict guidelines which truck drivers must adhere to when operating their vehicle.
For example, when a long-haul truck driver starts his driving shift, he is allowed to drive up to 11 hours in the next 14 hour time period. This 14 hour time period cannot be extended with off duty time for meals and fuel stops. At the end of this 14 hour time period, he must take at least a 10 hour break (off duty), regardless of the number of miles he has driven during that 14 hour time period, before he can restart driving his truck (i.e. goes on duty).
A truck driver may not drive after 60 hours on duty in a 7 day (consecutive) period. However, he may restart that cycle (i.e. 7 consecutive day period) after taking at least 34 consecutive hours off duty.
These laws are in place to reduce driver fatigue or to keep it at a minimum. When a truck driver fails to adhere to these rules, driver fatigue may set in, making him a dangerous driver on the road.
• Driver Aggression.
Often times, truck drivers are on strict time schedules to deliver perishable goods. When they are running late, they tend to become more aggressive, placing other motorists at risk.
• Driver Error.
Sometimes, a truck driver makes an error and in making a turn, he cuts a corner too thin or too wide. Sometimes, because of the height of the truck, a truck driver may fail to see a small passenger vehicle in his blind spot or a pedestrian crossing the street.
• Driver Distraction.
Sometimes, a truck driver is distracted by using a cell phone, by conversing with a passenger or by being preoccupied with the radio.
• Tire Blow Out.
With some many wheels, there is a potential for tire failure that can cause a temporary off-balancing effect resulting in serious consequences, such as rolling.
• Load Shift.
If a truck load is not tied down properly, it can shift during transport and the weight of the load can cause the driver to lose control.
• Brake Trouble.
If the brake system of a truck is not kept in optimal working order, it can fail or impact the distance the driver needs to bring his truck to a stop.
