Common Causes of Sacramento Truck Accidents
Knowing what causes truck accidents can help the big rig driver, motorists and others stay safe while sharing the roadways. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 4,301 individuals died in 2017 in collisions with big trucks and countless numbers were injured. Unfortunately, a crash with a big truck often causes fatalities and serious injuries. This can leave the occupant of a motor vehicle, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or bicycle rider with large medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. An experienced Sacramento truck accident lawyer can help you get the damages that you need and deserve to cover those costs.
Motorist Negligence Near Big Trucks
Passenger cars are often the cause of big truck accidents. This is because they do not realize the hazards of coming too close to a big rig or other truck on the road. Drivers of big trucks have limited visibility, and the trucks take a much longer distance to react, so using caution near them is important. Some of the negligent actions committed by motorists include:
- Cutting off a truck by changing lanes, especially in front of a heavy vehicle such as a cement truck.
- Being in the no-zone of a big truck, which is basically all sides. The right side has the largest zone where the truck driver cannot see, but the left side can encompass most of the length of the trailer.
- Following a big truck too closely, which can cause an underride accident.
- Failing to move out of the way if a truck is merging or changing lanes.
- Merging unsafely, which can cause the truck to make a dangerous emergency maneuver.
- Staying in a truck’s blind spot.
- Turning left in front of a truck.
- Passing a truck in the right lane when the driver has the right turn signal on.
- Driving between big rigs.
Truck Negligence That Can Cause an Accident
Truck drivers or the companies that employ big rig operators can be negligent in some instances. This can lead to a serious car accident with others. Some of the ways in which a truck driver or company may be at fault include:
- Lack of training: Learning defensive driving and having adequate training is important when behind the wheel of a big rig or other large truck. Common truck accident causes are drivers who hit the wrong brake and take an incline too fast. Either can cause a jackknife accident or rollover.
- Staying on the road too long: Some drivers are pushed by the companies that employ them. Others are anxious to deliver a load to pick up another. Common truck accident causes in these cases include speeding and fatigue.
- Swinging wide: Although big trucks often have to swing wide to make it around a corner or turn, they have to look for traffic in the other lane first. This can involve multiple vehicles.
- Not checking height clearances: Going under overpasses without checking the clearance first can cause a dangerous accident, especially if the truck is going at high speed.
- Falling asleep: Truckers spend long, monotonous hours on the road. Sleepiness or falling asleep at the wheel is one of the common truck accident causes.
- Not performing maintenance on the vehicle: Worn tires that can blow out, not checking electrical connections, and having poorly performing brakes can lead to an accident.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. You can be seriously injured in an accident with a big truck. If the driver or company was negligent, I have free and friendly advice to offer. Contact me please at (916) 921-6400. The long-distance number is (800) 404-5400 for other Northern Californians. You can contact me online also.
I’m a proud member of the Million Dollar Forum. It recognizes lawyers who have won more than $1 million for a client. I also belong to the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. It accepts only the top lawyers in the country who are recognized for their legal excellence.
You can learn more about my practice by visiting the following links:
Since 1982, I’ve practiced as an injury lawyer. I’ve helped many people in Sacramento obtain fair compensation. This includes areas such as different kinds of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumatic brain injuries.
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_54789079_l-2015
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