While truckers are on the road, they need to make sure that the cargo is secured. Improperly loaded or shifted cargo can lead to serious consequences for everyone. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) does have strict rules about how truckers should secure cargo, and the responsibility of load checks falls on the drivers. Truckers must perform regular inspections and make sure that their cargo remains secure throughout the trip. When the driver fails to uphold their responsibilities, it can lead to accidents. At the Trucking Injury [...]
Trucks making wide turns pose hazards to other drivers, but making wide turns is also a safety measure. We look at why large trucks make wide turns. Reasons for Wide Turns Large trucks are vital to the economy as they maneuver through the highways and byways. Trucks aren’t like smaller vehicles in how they move and interact with traffic. Large trucks make wide turns especially if their rigs are semi-tractor trucks with attached trailers or flatbeds. There are many reasons large trucks make wide turns. The most common [...]
Speed loss in large trucks leads to hazardous conditions for truck drivers and other drivers. Causes of Large Trucks Losing Speed Loss of speed for large trucks has several reasons. Some reasons are because of the roads and areas trucks navigate. Other reasons are driver-related actions, weather, and mechanical issues. Some common reasons for large trucks losing speed are: Terrain Among the reasons for speed loss is driving up or down hills and mountains. The weight and limited engine power of some large trucks makes quicker driving harder [...]
When shopping for a used car, you can look up that car’s accident history. That helps you make an informed decision about buying that particular vehicle. In the aftermath of a trucking accident, you can also look up the motor carrier’s accident history of the big rig and the driver. That information can be a crucial part of an insurance claim. It can help prove liability where there is a history of negligence. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has the following specific requirements for accident record [...]
Have you ever driven behind a semi-rig or overloaded pickup truck and thought, “That doesn’t look safe?” You are right to be concerned. The last time the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety studied the topic of accidents caused by cargo or debris falling from trucks, they found that in one year, this factor caused 25,000 crashes, resulting in 90 deaths. Even though these could be classified as “unintended accidents,” a truck driver and trucking company could be held liable if that accident-causing debris can be attributed to them. [...]
A recent semi-truck spill resulted in dozens of metal pipes falling off a rig and backed up traffic for 30 miles, according to the news site BakersfieldNow.com. Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident, but that isn't always the case with crashes like these. There could be many reasons why an 18-wheeler accident occurs. When investigating this type of collision, it is important to find out who is responsible for correctly loading the cargo into a tractor-trailer. Cargo Load Liability When unsecured cargo is a factor in [...]
Logging consistently ranks among the most hazardous jobs in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That danger extends to the transportation segment of that industry. Many factors make logging trucks so dangerous. Understanding those factors could help you avoid an accident on the road. Common Reasons for Logging Truck Crashes The weight limit for a logging truck is similar to other trucks. That restriction is for forty tons or 80,000 pounds of logs. A fully loaded logging truck is at a greater risk [...]
According to reports by the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 117,000 trucks are involved in crashes resulting in injuries each year. Another 6,000 crashes result in one or more fatalities. Truck accidents can result in devastating consequences, causing injuries, fatalities, and significant property damage. In the aftermath of such incidents, gathering evidence is crucial for determining liability and seeking compensation for victims. Eyewitness testimony plays a vital role in truck accident claims, providing firsthand accounts of the events leading up to the collision. Let’s take a closer [...]
After a trucking accident, many people are left stunned by the incident. Trying to calm yourself down and take the right steps can be difficult. You might be injured or even left in complete shock from the traumatic event. However, what you do next can often make a difference in protecting your rights and setting the foundation for a legal claim. At Trucking Injury Law Group, we have seen many truck accident victims struggle to determine what they need to do after a collision with a big rig. [...]
If you've ever watched the news in the aftermath of a plane crash, then you've likely heard a lot of discussion about whether its "black box" has been recovered yet by investigators. These event data recorders (EDRs), as they're also called, are critical to investigations into what caused accidents like those and are also extremely important for determining what contributing factors to tractor-trailer wrecks were too. Below, we'll discuss what evidence a truck's black box collects in an accident and the importance of that data if you decide [...]
