Four Things You Didn’t Know About Truck Accidents

Every commercial truck driver knows the potential for accidents, so wise drivers are well-insured every time they take to the road. Truck accidents are unpredictable—but did you know that some events substantially increase the likelihood of a commercial truck driver getting into an accident? Drivers knowing about these events could mean the difference between an actual accident and a mere close-call.

We all know that truck drivers should stay alert, follow the law, and secure their cargo—but here are four things you may know that could increase the likelihood of a truck accident.

• Disabling or non-disabling vehicle failures – These commonly include engine problems or the hood flying up. That’s right, a truck’s hood could fly up and prevent the driver from seeing the road (or other drivers). This will almost certainly cause the driver to lose control of the semi-truck. The same applies when a truck’s engine slows or stops entirely while on the road. Sudden vehicle failure is as dangerous as any operating mistake a person can make in driving a truck.
• Coming upon a stopped vehicle – Most drivers think of an accident as involving something done—but what if not doing something, like moving along, caused it? Stopped vehicles can cause worse accidents than moving vehicles. Can you imagine speeding down the road and running headlong into a parked vehicle? It wouldn’t be much different from slamming a truck into a wall of bricks. However, truck drivers are also commonly to blame for these accidents, because they should pay enough attention and leave enough space to stop the truck in time to avoid obstacles.
• Finding objects on the highway – We’ve all had to swerve to avoid something in our way, but some objects are so large (furniture, say, or industrial equipment) that they’re bound to cause problems. Truck drivers should always beware of objects in the road and know how to safely maneuver their trucks around them. If they speed or do not pay attention and hit the obstacle, they can cause chain-reaction crashes.
• Departing a lane – While the wind can blow trucks from side to side, some situations cause truck drivers to suddenly and completely depart their lanes. Sometimes, this means driving onto the shoulder, but it can also mean driving into other lanes of traffic and causing serious crashes, often with multiple vehicles.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a “Large Truck Crash Causation Study” to educate the trucking industry and the public about pre-crash factors such as driver fatigue and distraction, vehicle condition, weather, and roadway problems. This study demonstrates that truck accident can take place and injure people in many ways.

If You’re in a Truck Accident, Contact an Ocala Truck Accident Attorney

Driving a vehicle always presents accident and injury risks. If a truck driver or another party caused a serious accident and injured you, discuss your rights with an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Please call an experienced attorney at Meldon Law for a free consultation at (800) 373-8000 or contact us online today.