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What Causes Truck Accidents?

The Top Charlotte Truck Accident Lawyer Reviews the 5 Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Due to their tremendous size and weight, commercial trucks present a high level of danger to passenger vehicles. With 18-wheeler trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds and passenger vehicles weighing an average of 4,000 pounds, it is no wonder that occupants of passenger vehicles face a higher risk of serious injury or death in an accident. A variety of factors can lead to a vehicle accident, such as poor weather, driver fatigue, or equipment failure. In our latest article, an experienced Charlotte truck accident lawyer reviews the 5 most common causes of commercial truck accidents. 

1. Driving in Poor Weather

Bad Weather Can Throw Off Even the Most Experienced Commercial Truck Drivers

If a truck driver is not properly trained or if they underestimate the severity of the current weather conditions, they can put both themselves and other drivers around them at risk. During poor weather conditions, these drivers must practice extreme caution. They may even have to pull over to the side of the road if the dangerous weather conditions persist or grow worse. Failure to practice safe driving practices can result in severe injury or even death. 

Both commercial truck drivers and members of passenger vehicles should remain aware of the driving risks associated with different weather conditions, including: 

  • Rain — A heavy downpour can cause slippery road conditions. If a driver does not know how to properly brake without skidding or jackknifing, they pose a serious risk to the vehicles near them. 
  • Ice and Snow — Icy roads are also particularly difficult for truck drivers to navigate. Due to the weight of the truck, drivers can easily lose control of their vehicles when attempting to maneuver them 
  • Fog — Fog causes poor visibility, thereby increasing the chances of a commercial truck accidentally hitting another vehicle. 

2. Equipment Failure

Forgetting to Regularly Inspect Equipment or Properly Maintain a Truck Can Result in Equipment Failure

Commercial truck drivers clock in thousands of miles every day. As a result, their trucks go through quite a bit of wear and tear. In order to keep their vehicles safe and properly-functioning, drivers and their crews must maintain the truck on a regular basis. Operating a truck while it is in need of maintenance — such as a worn brake pedal or a broken windshield — could cause a catastrophic traffic accident. Because of the dangers that a malfunctioning truck can inflict, drivers are required to inspect their rig and submit a vehicle maintenance report at the beginning of each shift.  Equipment manufacturers could also be held responsible for an accident if investigators find a damaged or defective part in the truck. Parties that could be deemed liable include the equipment parts manufacturer, trucking company, and even any mechanics who  performed repairs on the vehicle. 

3. Engaging in Dangerous Driving Practices

Passenger Drivers Can Pose a Risk to Both Themselves and Nearby Vehicles

It is important to note that commercial truck drivers are not always at fault when an accident occurs. Passenger vehicles put themselves at a greater risk of causing an accident or sustaining serious injuries from an accident when engaging in unsafe driving practices. To protect yourself and the passengers of your vehicle, you should avoid:

  • Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
  • Cutting in front of another passenger vehicle or commercial truck 
  • Tailgating 
  • Driving in a truck’s blind spot
  • Driving while drowsy or extremely fatigued 
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving from texting or attempting to multi-task

4. Truck Driver Fatigue

Driving While Drowsy Can Have Devastating Consequences 

Driving while fatigued is a major problem among commercial truck drivers. In fact, the CDC found that commercial drivers were more likely to suffer from drowsiness than regular drivers who are able to follow a regular work and sleep schedule. Truck driver fatigue can be caused by a variety of factors including a lack of sleep, attempting to drive while sick, or exhaustion from working too many hours.  

5. Overloaded Cargo

Improper or Overloaded Cargo Can Fall Off a Truck, Causing a Catastrophic Accident

Because of the sheer weight and size of the loads that commercial trucks carry, drivers must abide by specific industry standards when loading the bed of their truck. Each load must pass various weight, size, length, width, and height requirements before being approved for transportation. Companies must employ special methods for securing their cargo. Any mistakes or negligence that occurs during the procedure could cause the load to fall into the road and cause a severe accident. 

If you were involved in a commercial vehicle accident and need to speak with an experienced Charlotte truck accident lawyer, contact the Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb to schedule a free consultation. For over 30 years, the legal team at the Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb has successfully helped various clients who suffered from personal injury and damages as a result of commercial truck accidents.

Distracted Driving Damages

Legal Lunchables

WKG Distracted Driving Damages

Distracted Driving Damages

 

A person injured in an automobile accident may have a potential negligence claim against the at-fault driver and may be entitled to money for their medical bills, their pain and suffering. Over the last few years, North Carolina has ramped up efforts to prevent people from texting while driving because of the large increase in the number of accidents caused by such behaviors. North Carolina has also increased its punishments for drinking and driving in an attempt to deter these behaviors and prevent accidental deaths. However, people are still engaging in this reckless behavior despite these efforts. Luckily for those injured at the hand of these reckless drivers, North Carolina allows claims for punitive damages.

Did you know that if you are the victim of someone’s irresponsible texting or drinking and driving you may be entitled to even more money? That is because NC law allows those victims to seek something called “punitive damages” for the other driver’s recklessness. Generally, NC law allows someone to pursue damages for their economic losses and noneconomic losses resulting from someone else’s negligence. Economic losses are money damages for medical bills, loss of wages, or lost future earning capacity. Noneconomic losses are money damages for your pain and suffering. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are designed to punish the person who injured you, and to act as a deterrent to prevent them from making the same reckless mistake in the future. So if it can be proven that the person who injured you was driving recklessly, texting while driving, or driving while impaired, then you may be able to collect economic, noneconomic, AND punitive damages.

If you have been injured because someone was texting behind the wheel or driving while impaired, it’s important that you contact The Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb today. Our law office has a vast amount of experience with these cases, and we have been featured in North Carolina’s Lawyers Weekly on several occasions for cases such as these. Most notably, William K. Goldfarb was featured in Lawyers Weekly for getting one of his clients $ 975,000.00 for their injuries resulting from a DWI accident. Call us today for a free legal consultation!

Location

The Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb

301 South Charlotte Avenue
Monroe, NC 28112

Local: 704-296-0055
Toll-Free: 1-866-298-0768
info@wkg-law.com

William K. Goldfarb North Carolina Advocates for Justice President's Club
William K. Goldfarb American Association for Justice
William K. Goldfarb, Melvin M Belli Society
William K Goldfarb AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
Who's Who Top Attorney North America

Distracted Driving Initiative

Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving Initiative

Some school buses in our area are already on the roads every morning. But the majority will be running starting next week. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration deems school buses the safest way for students to travel.

While you are going about your everyday routine, somewhere in America, tragedy has struck. At least nine Americans are killed in car accidents – every day – due to distracted driving. A staggering 49% of adults admit to texting and driving while 98% admit they know it is unsafe. In other words, they are willing to risk it.

Amanda Clark was willing to take the risk. In 2006, Amanda was talking on her phone when she lost control and rolled her car over. Fortunately, she walked away and told everyone – from her diary to her classmates – that she would put her phone away while in her car.   A year and a day later, Amanda drove off a California freeway embankment while texting. This time, she did not survive.

Here are the stats:

  • 1 in 4: the probability that a car wreck involved a cell phone
  • 40%: the percentage of teens who say they’ve been a passenger in a car where the driver used a cellphone.
  • 33%: the percentage of drivers ages 18 to 64 who admit to reading or writing text messages while driving in the previous month.
  • 4X: the increased risk of a crash if driving while using a cellphone
  • 23X: the increased risk of a crash if driving while texting
  • 2: the number of seconds a driver can safely look away from the road
  • 5: the number of seconds a driver looks away to send a text

Distracted driving isn’t just texting. It’s talking on a phone – even hands free. It’s eating while driving. It’s fiddling with the music selection.   They all take your attention from the road.

This school year, The Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb, have started a new initiative with our area schools to help keep our kids safe. It’s an eye-opening presentation designed to get the attention of our youngest drivers so that they think twice before driving while distracted. We are offering to present this program to any group of school kids – large or small – at no charge. If the schools can give us just 45 minutes, perhaps we can prevent some heartbreak.

Please let your school’s principal know that you’re concerned about this and encourage them to schedule the presentation if they haven’t already.

Then ‘like’ our Facebook page for updates on this and other topics that may be helpful to you and your family.

Location

The Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb

301 South Charlotte Avenue
Monroe, NC 28112

Local: 704-296-0055
Toll-Free: 1-866-298-0768
info@wkg-law.com

William K. Goldfarb North Carolina Advocates for Justice President's Club
William K. Goldfarb American Association for Justice
William K. Goldfarb, Melvin M Belli Society
William K Goldfarb AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
Who's Who Top Attorney North America

Distracted Driving

Legal Lunchables

Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving

Did you know…

  • It takes on average 5 seconds to send a text message while driving. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field without looking at the road. A disaster in the making.
  • 77% of young adults are very or somewhat confident that they can safely text while driving.
  • 55% of young adults claim it’s easy to text while driving.
  • Distracted driving is an epidemic that needs to be stopped.   Eight people a day in our country die in crashes related to distracted driving and many of them are young folks.
  • In North Carolina, it is illegal for drivers under the age of 18 and all school bus drivers to use a cell phone in any manner while driving. Over the age of 18, texting is banned for all drivers.
  • In South Carolina, it is illegal to text and drive. No other laws are currently on the books regarding cell phone usage while driving.

Please visit our blog on this website for more information you can share with your own young drivers to help keep them safe. You’ll learn about a effort we’ve undertaken to educate our kids about this danger – and how you can help. Then, ‘like’ our Facebook page to get updates on this and other topics that may be useful to you and your family.

Location

The Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb

301 South Charlotte Avenue
Monroe, NC 28112

Local: 704-296-0055
Toll-Free: 1-866-298-0768
info@wkg-law.com

William K. Goldfarb North Carolina Advocates for Justice President's Club
William K. Goldfarb American Association for Justice
William K. Goldfarb, Melvin M Belli Society
William K Goldfarb AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
Who's Who Top Attorney North America

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