Dangers of Tractor Trailer Accidents
According to statistics, more or less 500,000 truck accidents occur in the U.S. every year. Out of this number, about 5,000 result in deaths, as one out of every eight traffic deaths involves a truck collision.
The majority of injuries and deaths that result from tractor trailer accidents occur to occupants of smaller motor vehicles, while the operators of these huge trucks often escape collisions involving trucks and vehicles with mild or no injury at all.
Because of the large size of these tractor trailers, accidents involving these massive trucks can substantially put the lives of other occupants of smaller vehicles in grave danger.
Common Causes of Tractor Trailer Accidents
Many different factors can cause tractor trailer accidents. Some of the most common causes include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Disobedience to safety procedures
- Unlicensed driver
- Maintenance and repair failure
- Motor vehicle inspection failure
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol
- Unable to yield the right of way
- Brake or mechanical failure
- Moving in reverse or backing up
- Transporting equipment with trailers
- Tires blow up
- Loads that shift weight
- Overloaded trailers or trucks
- Shifting and falling cargo
- Truck driver fatigue (tiredness and fatigue are some of the major causes of tractor trailer jackknife. This might be from lack of sleep or illegal drugs).
- Exceeding the set maximum speed for safe conditions
- Lack of proper cameras and mirrors
- Use of cell phone while driving
- Jackknife
- Successive work shifts
- Following too closely
- Insufficient safety inspections
- Unmanageable delivery schedules
- Aggressive truck drivers
Post-Accident Tips
If you have been involved in one of the many tractor trailer accidents that occur, here are some tips on what you should do following an accident:
- Get medical attention right away. If your injuries need emergency care, you should call an ambulance for transportation to a hospital. If it is not that serious, you may visit a care center or make an arrangement to see your doctor as soon as you leave the scene of the accident. Certain injuries, usually severe ones, might not be evident at once, especially if your body has been shocked. For this reason, it is important to make sure that you are examined by a medical care provider immediately.
- Call police officials and immediately file a tractor trailer accident report. By doing this, the facts of the incident will be documented which can aid in determining liability in the accident.
- Collect as much information as you can at the scene of the accident. Under the law, any individual involved in an accident is required to exchange contact information and insurance details. If possible, you should take photographs of the damages and injuries and get the names and telephone numbers of witnesses, if any.
Getting Help
After being involved in such an accident, it is very important to get help from a competent lawyer who has more than enough skills and knowledge to successfully deal with cases of tractor trailer accidents.