Top Causes for Trucking Accidents in Baton Rouge & Why You Need a Lawyer
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration keeps track of crashes in this country. This includes crashes involving large trucks. According to them, the amount of these incidents has increased over the past 20 years. This has, in turn, increased the number of fatalities, injuries, and property damages. Their data also tells us that these crashes tend to happen in rural areas and on Interstate highways. Though Baton Rouge may not be rural, plenty of Red Stick residents rely on our interstates. Many of us have to use I-10 and I-12 for our daily commutes. The majority of trucking accidents occur on weekdays so we’re at risk during every commute.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
Trucking accidents result from many factors. Most of which are the same contributors causing accidents between personal vehicles. However, their size, speed, and business motives add a few extra layers of danger.
- Rollovers: Rollovers are terrifying. Most of the time, they are caused by drivers losing control of the truck. The truck tips over what whatever it hits. Guardrails, curbs, medians—or you and your family in your vehicle.
- Bad Brakes: When working correctly, the air brakes in semis can stop a truck going about 35-40 mph in 100 feet. When not working correctly, a truck becomes an 80,000-pound weapon, taking out whatever gets in its way.
- Tire Blowouts: 18-wheelers rely on their wheels. Their tires travel over long distances and carry heavy loads. You’ve probably noticed the strips of rubber on interstate shoulders. When trucks shed these from their tries, accidents can occur.
- Lack of Maintenance: Brakes and tires aren’t the only things that can malfunction. Cracked windshields, bad axles, and more can cause serious accidents.
- Blind Spots: You might have seen the signs on 18-wheelers showing you its blind spots. This is important because their blind spots are huge. Something as simple as changing lanes can cause accidents if they’re not checked.
- Swinging: It’s probably obvious that trucks need more room to turn than smaller vehicles. Making too wide of a turn can cause accidents.
- Overweight: This isn’t the type of overweight caused by over-indulging in carbs. Overloaded trucks can be more than the vehicle and road can handle. This makes losing control more likely.
- Debris: Federal law requires trucks to fully secure all cargo. Pieces of falling cargo can cause serious damage or result in accidents.
- Poor Driving: Despite all their training, truck drivers can still be bad drivers. Combined with their crazy schedules, this can lead to drowsy and distracted driving.
- Weather: We wish we could control the Baton Rouge weather. But unfortunately, we cannot. Like all vehicle accidents, weather can also cause bad trucking accidents.
Trucking Accidents Lawyers
If you’re involved in any of these types of trucking accidents, you should not be held liable if you’re not at fault. Make sure you’re getting what you deserve by enlisting a lawyer. They can hold these giant trucking companies responsible for the damage they cause.
Your Baton Rouge Injury Attorneys
WFCW Lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has decades of experience with trucking accidents. Trust our expertise so you can focus on getting your life back to normal. Contact us online or call us at 225-383-4010. Don’t tackle this alone!