A Beginner’s Guide To Truck Accidents: Causes, Tips, And Legal Remedies

Published on: 11 October 2021 Last Updated on: 29 October 2024

Trucks continue to remain an integral part of the world’s economy. They are responsible for moving millions of tons of goods and products across the length and breadth of the country every single day. Whether it is day or night, trucks and truck drivers continue to drive.

However, being such large vehicles there is no denying the fact that they are a major threat to other motorists on the road. Car drivers, motorcyclists, bicycle riders, and pedestrians are constantly in danger from being at the receiving end of one of the many threats that trucks pose.

According to experts, heavy trucks are involved in one out of ten deaths that are reported in the United States every year. The weight of a fully loaded truck can reach up to 40 tons! That is 40 tons of moving mass that needs to stop at a heartbeat and be careful of every small car, bike, or individual occupying the same road. That is a tough ask.

In this article, we are going to discuss some of the major aspects of truck accidents-

Leading causes of truck accidents in the United States
Safety Tips to help you steer clear of the danger posed by trucks
Legal remedies that need to be pursued in case you are involved in a truck accident

We take help from a leading Atlanta truck accident lawyer to help list down some of the important details on truck accidents.

5 Leading Causes of Truck Accidents on our Roads and Highways

In this section, we are going to list down the five of the most causes of truck accidents–

1. Tired and Exhausted Truck Drivers-

The efficiency of any trucking operation depends on the completion of orders. In very simple words, the faster the deliveries are done, the more orders a specific truck can generate. This means long hours in bad weather conditions with poor food, lodging, and most importantly, no sleep. Tiredness and exhaustion make drivers fall asleep or slow down their reflexes.

2. Poor Quality and Condition of the Vehicles themselves-

Most commercial trucking companies can be guilty of not paying proper attention to the maintenance of their vehicles. They do not check whether all the parts of the truck are working properly. Since trucks tend to be on the roads most of the time, checking them for regular service becomes difficult. This leads to accidents when, for example, the brakes stop working.

3. Improper Training and Lack of Driving Experience-

Taking control of a vehicle that weighs 40 tons is no joke. It involves a lot of practice, experience, and training. When normal truck drivers are sick or unavailable, the company can ask a rookie to do the job of a seasoned pro. There are so many things that can go wrong when someone who is not adept at handling such a heavy piece of machinery starts to handle it.

4. Not Confirmation to Road Safety Norms, and Regulations-

Truckers know that since they are so big, they are not the ones that should be paying attention to following safety norms. In other words, they believe that if others want to be safe, they should be maintaining a distance from the truck. This makes them drive on one-way streets, not give way to oncoming traffic, and park at the side of highways where it is dangerous.

5. Engaging with Intoxicants like Alcohol and Marijuana-

Being on the road for months on end can be frustrating for truck drivers. To keep themselves engaged, they turn to alcohol and smoking weed. This dumbs down their reflexes and gives rise to the possibility of falling asleep at the steering wheel. Many studies have found that alcoholism is an issue that is rampant among truck drivers in the United States.

Safety Tips that Motorists should follow to avoid accidents with trucks

Every year in the United States, the Federal Motor Safety Administration comes out with a handbook for motorists that contain safety tips to avoid trucks and encounter accidents.

The following are some safety tips that motorists should be following to keep them safe-

1. Visibility–

The first thing that is prescribed is to ensure that you are visible to the truck drivers. Make sure you are honking and putting on your headlights every time you are passing a truck. Do not position your vehicles in the blind spots of the truck driver.

2. Passing–

Every time you are looking to overtake a truck make sure you have the space to do so. Do not try to make a pass in a tight squeeze. Make sure that you wait for the truck to give you the passing signal before you step on the gas for the pass.

3. Cutting-Off–

Most accidents are when motorists try to cut off a truck. When you do this at speed, you end up being in the blind spot of the drivers. This prevents their ability to break on time and results in a violent crash. You should look to avoid this at all costs.

4. Distance–

If you are tailgating a truck, you are not visible to the driver! This means that if they break, you are likely to slip right under the huge vehicle. Ensure that you maintain a healthy distance between your vehicle and the truck in front of you.

5. Anticipate–

Riding on the same roads as trucks require you to be patient. Trucks have wider turning radiuses than small cars. They cannot also make quick maneuvers on the road. As a motorist, you need to be patient and anticipate the movements.

If you are following the above-mentioned safety norms, you can reduce the chances of coming into contact with a 40-ton truck.

Legal Remedies to pursue in case of Truck Accidents

If you have been in a truck accident, you are well within your rights to file a lawsuit. You need to claim compensation for the material damage caused, as well as seek payments to help you tide over any medical injuries you might have suffered as a result of the accident.

The first thing that you need to do is hire an expert and experienced truck accident lawyer. You need to make sure that they have prior experience in filing personal injury lawsuits of this nature. Make sure that you gather all the possible evidence and build a solid case.

When it comes to truck accidents, the company operating the vehicle is a party to the lawsuit. They need to ensure that the insurance covers all possible material and physical damages that have been the result of the accident.

The following information should be collected from the site of the accident-

The type of truck- make, model, brand, and license plates of the truck.
The name of the truck’s driver and his commercial license.
The information about the insurance company and details.
Names, addresses, and call numbers of the trucking company, head offices, and more.
Photos, videos, and witness statements from the scene of the crime.

The Bottom Line

In this article, we have discussed some of the probable causes of truck accidents. We have also discussed safety tips that will help you keep your distance from heavy vehicles. Finally, we have looked at what legal recourse needs to be pursued if you are involved in a truck accident.

If you have any more questions that you would like us to address on truck accidents, please let us know in the comments below. We will be glad to help you out.

Read Also:

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Why Hiring Van is More Beneficial?

No matter how good and comfortable a car becomes nothing can be compared to the fun and luxury a van can give. There is a myth that cheap van rental does not exist. Well, if you feel the same, then this is a myth buster for you. Not to mention the brands, there are authentic car rental companies who are known to provide luxurious and affordable vehicles on rent. However, there are other misconceptions regarding renting a van. The following benefit for renting van might help in eradicating those misconceptions. Affordable: If affordability is what you are concerned about then hiring a van rather than hiring two cars for your family trip, would be much more convenient. Even if you want to cut more on your rental expenses you can choose from the wide range of vehicles that are offered at the rental agencies with a different price. Older brands are more affordable as compare to the new brands which provide almost present the same uses. Thus, opting for cheap van rentals would be wallet friendly. Lower mileage vehicles: When a group of people leaves for road trips everybody wants leisure and relaxation. Vans are the best option for those who like to drive on an average speed. Mostly the road trips are driven through the highways; meanwhile, the mileage can be increased to a certain comfort level accordingly. Extra head and hand space: Needless to say, a van will have huge space as compared to a sedan and SUV. Hiring a van from a cheap van rental will give you extra head space which means you will not hit your head if your stand straight (although, if you are of average height). There will more accommodation for multiple people to fit in with aloft space and rooms. There is van of different sizes and shapes such as a cargo van, passenger van or a minivan. Multiple Storage Option: Big vans are just convenient for long road trips to be it for single, double or family use. Big van such as caravan comes with two to three sets of conversion beds. The van consists of one to two mini refrigerators, multiple cabinets for storing essentials and belongings and a mini restroom. Few conversion vans also have barn-style wings which give more space for storing small utilities. Custom Conversion: One of the best parts of certain cheap van rental is that they can be transformed into different conversions accordingly. Even after being admired by many, only few could buy them because of their price. However, renting such van for a trip would be no harm. While renting a vehicle one can demand the agency to make certain custom conversions in the same which might include some extra charges. The agency can transform a cargo van into a single use homey living space. As a result, this can help in cutting the cost of motels that one might incur to spend their nights. Buying a van for a family trip might not be a piece of cake but renting one is definitely. Many car and van renting companies offer astonishing services at affordable prices. Read Aslo: Car Insurance For Electric Vehicles Explained Tips For Renting A Wheelchair Van At Your Destination

What Industries Use Excavators?

If you’re interested in knowing more about the uses of the excavator, you can read more here in this article. Excavators are very useful machines in many industries such as construction or mining. This is because of its ability to dig and lift a large volume of materials. How do excavators work? What are they used for? The answers to those questions will be found if you read more here below. What is an excavator? An excavator is a piece of heavy equipment that is often utilized in many industries. As the name suggests, it is able to excavate and lift materials. It consists of a bucket that is attached to the undercarriage by the boom. The undercarriage has tracks or wheels to move through difficult terrains. Most excavators have diesel engines that power the machine through hydraulic pressure. Industries that use excavators: Excavators have many applications across many industries. Below are several examples. Construction In the construction industry, excavators have many uses. Firstly, they are used to demolish old structures and remove debris. They are also used in normal grading work and landscaping before a new structure is erected. Excavators are used to removing heavy materials such as debris, soil, and construction materials. After the landscape is prepared for construction, excavators are again used to dig foundations and holes. They are also used to install heavy piles in foundations. In heavy-duty construction jobs, the type of excavators that are used are Mining Excavators are also very crucial in the mining industry. Without excavators, it is impossible to dig through the soil to find valuable resources. The mining industry often operates in areas with uneven terrain. Excavators are used to landscaping these terrains and move heavy debris and soil. Forestry Forestry is another industry that makes heavy use of excavators. Excavators are used to removing and carrying heavy wood and logs. They are also used to dredge reservoirs and excavate soil in avalanche-prone areas. Types of excavators: Here are several types of excavators. Different types are used for different industries and functions. 1. Crawlers Crawlers or compact excavators have two tracks rather than wheels. They are often used in construction and mining jobs to lift soil and other materials. The chain tracks enable crawlers to move through hilly terrains with more ease. 2. Dragline excavators They have a bucket that is attached to a hoist and a dragline. They are often used for dredging in heavy-duty civil engineering jobs. 3. Skid steer excavators This excavator has a bucket that faces away from the driver, which makes it useful in narrower sites. They are frequently utilized in digging and residential works in limited spaces. 4. Long reach excavators They have longer arms and boom. It makes them suitable for areas with difficult terrains and hard-to-reach sites. 5. Suction excavators Suction (vacuum) excavators are often used for underground applications to reduce the risk of damage. Now you know about the use of excavators in different industries. Hopefully, the information you get after you’ve read more here will be useful to you. Read Also: Which Type Of Forklift Your Industry Need: Have A Look At Them! Construction Safeguards: What Are the Top 3 Leading Risks for machine-related Amputation? Why Many Businesses Owe Their Success to Quality Scales Best Uses for Stainless Steel in Construction

Signs Of A Bad Transmission Valve Body And How To Fix It

For vehicles with an automatic transmission, you want to ensure the valve body will work, especially since this important equipment serves as the main control center of the vehicle. The process works by directing the pressurized transmission fluid to a network of valves that will assemble the right clutch packs. The valves will then draw on the pressure from the various hydraulic signals to determine the gear set to use. When it stops working, there can be some issues with your vehicle. Modern automatic transmission valve bodies will come with their own sensors. This helps to measure the different aspects of the transmission, including the engine load, throttle position, pedal position, brakes, and speed. It will then send this information to the onboard engine management computer, which helps the rest of the vehicle perform properly and alerts you when there is a significant problem with the transmission. It is essential to know the signs that your transmission is going bad. Recognizing some of the main signs of a bad transmission allows you to get it to a mechanic to fix it long before you are stuck on the side of the road. With the proper fix, your vehicle will shift gears, which can lead to a stall-out when on the road. What Are The Signs Of A Bad Transmission? The first items to explore are common indicators that your transmission is not working correctly for you. These signs are often noticeable, even if you do not realize that the transmission is the main problem that is causing them. Some of the common signs of a bad transmission include: You hear banging or knocking noises in the vehicle, especially when applying pressure to the brakes. The car slows down when you put it into reverse or try to drive backward. The shifting stick will often slip when you try to change the gears. When you downshift the vehicle, you may notice that the transition is not smooth. You face problems when it is time to change the gears to drive or go in reverse. The vehicle's transmission tends to get stuck when you put it into neutral. When you notice any of the signs above, getting the transmission checked out immediately is important. Ignoring the problem can make it worse and result in an expensive vehicle repair. Diagnosing And Replacing Your Transmission When you notice some of the signs above, it is time to look at diagnosing the problem and then getting the transmission replaced as soon as possible. Your local automotive mechanic will have the necessary diagnostic tools to check whether the transmission is the problem. You can take it to the body shop and have them run a test to see whether the transmission is the issue or not. They can also see whether it is an electronic or a mechanical failure and provide the right solution for your vehicle. The average cost for a transmission valve body piece is between $200 to $1000, depending on the type of vehicle. This can make the total cost of valve body work to range from $400 to $1500 for most vehicles. You will need to add in the labor cost of having the mechanic do the work, which can range from two to four hours, depending on their tools and experience. While this is an expensive vehicle component, keeping you safe is worth the investment. While it is possible to do the work on your transmission by yourself, this can take time, and many car owners worry they need to gain the skills to get it done. Working with a certified mechanic may be expensive. Still, it can help complete the work quickly and prevent further vehicle problems. How To Replace The Transmission? A few steps are necessary to help replace the transmission and ensure it continues working well in your vehicle afterward. The steps include: The vehicle is raised up and supported well. After you have positioned the jack stands to ensure proper safety and support, lower them so the vehicle rests securely. Remove the vacuum hose leading from the intake manifold to the transmission modulator valve. Pull the hose off here and check whether any transmission fluid is inside. If you find some in there, this is a significant indication that the manifold is defective. Remove your modulator valve. You can do this by carefully removing the bolts from the bracket that is holding them into place. Install the new transmission modulator valve. You can do this by placing the actuating rod into the hole of your new valve. Then take your time to insert the valve into the receptacle hole too. Reinstall the bracket on the modulator, taking the time to secure it with bolts. Reconnect your vacuum hose to the transmission modulator valve and the intake manifold. When you feel confident that everything is in the right place, remove the jack stands -- you are free to once more enjoy your vehicle. Replacing this part can help ensure the transmission is in good working order, and you will have no further problems. If you do not feel comfortable doing the work on your own, you can take it to an auto body shop, and they can help you replace your transmission too. The Bottom Line Your transmission is responsible for many functions within the vehicle. When it works well, you can enjoy a smooth ride that will take you anywhere. But when something is wrong with the transmission, you need to fix it immediately. The cost of fixing this issue will depend on the cost of the broken part and how much the mechanic you choose will require as a labor fee to get the work done. Getting the transmission fixed quickly will help your car last longer and can stop some of the harmful side effects of driving with a faulty transmission. Whether you do it yourself or trust the professionals, fixing the transmission can extend the life of your vehicle. Read Also: Useful Tips About Mobile Car Detailing To Avoid Any Costly Maintenance And Repair Issues Car won't Start After Getting Gas – How To Fix This Problem? What Do You Need To Change Car Rims?

A Beginner’s Guide To Truck Accidents: Causes, Tips, And Legal Remedies