Causes of Trucking Accidents in Arkansas
A fully loaded tractor trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Because of the size and weight of a tractor trailer there are specific constraints in handling these vehicles, specifically relating to acceleration, braking and visibility. Consequently, even relatively small driving errors can result in serious trucking accidents. There are three major types of contributing factors in trucking accidents: Those caused by the truck driver, unsafe driving behaviors of motorists, and road conditions.
It is the trucker’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a manner that will minimize danger to other motorists. This obligation includes getting proper training for operating the vehicle, proper maintenance of the vehicle, proper installation and maintenance of safety equipment, proper loading, compliance with laws (speeding, passing, etc) and compliance with other safety regulations such as hours of operation without rest. Driver fatigue is a major cause of trucking accidents since truckers and carriers are both motivated by profit to extend the limits of the law governing the maximum amount of time a driver can spend behind the wheel without rest.
The second major cause of trucking accidents is the driving behaviors of other motorists that share the road with trucks. Many passenger car drivers are ignorant regarding the braking, acceleration and visibility limitations of tractor trailers and engage in driving behaviors that can result in trucking accidents. Some of these include:
- Driving in a truck’s “No-Zones”, where the driver’s visibility is wither limited or nonexistent;
- Any act that may cause a truck to brake or accelerate rapidly, including improper merging or passing;
- Misjudging an approaching truck’s speed; and
- Failure to move a disabled car completely out of the way of moving traffic.
Lastly, poor driving or roadway conditions may contribute to trucking accidents. In fact, roadway conditions are a significant factor in approximately one-third of traffic fatalities (NHTSA). Lighting, weather, and road conditions, including debris or obstacles in the road, blocked signs or insufficient signage, potholes, drop-offs, and bumps .may all contribute to trucking accidents.
If you have involved in a trucking accident and are seeking representation, contact The Hershewe Law Firm toll-free at 877-382-9734 or complete our contact web form.
