When you’re involved in an accident with a semi-truck or tractor trailer, it can have disastrous consequences. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines a “large truck” as a truck that weighs 10,000 lbs. or more, and when it collides with your vehicle it can cause severe injury or death. The NHTSA reported that there were 317,000 large trucks involved in accidents in the U.S. in 2012, which resulted in nearly 4,000 deaths and over 100,000 injuries. Over the years, the McPherson Trucking Accident Lawyers at Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys have handled countless trucking accident cases. In order to understand why this is such a common problem, let’s look at some of the leading factors that contribute to trucking accidents.
Our McPherson Trucking Accident Lawyers Typically See These Factors Contributing to Trucking Accidents
Tractor trailers and other large trucks are not regularly inspected for maintenance, and don’t follow industry safety standards. The results of this carelessness are large trucks that malfunction on the road during critical times, causing horrific accidents with other automobiles. These large trucks are often driving with faulty brakes and defective tires. The weight of the truck’s cargo also contributes to the frequency of trucking accidents. Many times, large trucks are loaded improperly with uneven weight distribution. This makes it difficult for a big-rig to stay in their own lane, let alone keep upright when it’s been loaded haphazardly.
Inclement weather also has a serious affect on the ability of large trucks to safely navigate the road. A wet or icy road surface combined with a large truck with bad tires is a recipe for disaster. Sadly, the most prominent cause of trucking accidents is due to the truck driver. Faced with short delivery deadlines and little time to spare, truck drivers spend long stretches on the road without stopping for sleep. They suffer from exhaustion (and sometimes substance abuse), which results in unnecessary risks and the inability to judge traffic conditions. When they come into contact with other vehicles, the results can be tragic. If you’ve been involved in an accident, contact the McPherson Trucking Accident Lawyers at Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys to discuss your rights. Our McPherson Trucking Accident Lawyers are ready to help!
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