What are some of the common reasons for accidents with tractor-trailers?

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by: joshuapaulmyers
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Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 Time: 12:51 AM
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Truckers in the United States drive many thousands of miles annually as they deliver equipment, parcels, supplies and large industrial items. That means the 18-wheelers you see on the road are driven by a driver who may be hitting mile two thousand right in front of your eyes. All while carting thousands of pounds of products and goods up and down the highway. Driving these vehicles can be a very dangerous enterprise, despite the fact that this country's shipping industry would come to a standstill without trucks.

Because tractor trailers are so large, when they are involved in collisions, the resulting injuries and damage can be extreme. At times the fault lies with the driver of a car sharing the road with the truck. Other times there may be a defect with the equipment or truck. Some times the driver of the truck is reckless. But very often the real cause of the problem stems from the owner of the trucks, the company that pays the drivers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) restricts the number of hours per day a truck driver is permitted to drive. Hours of service is the term used to describe this restriction. The primary objective of this rule is to make sure truck drivers aren't endangering other vehicles and their passengers by falling asleep at the wheel. There are times when trucking firms overlook their drivers' violations of these restrictions, and sometimes they order their employees to exceed the limitations in order to complete shipments more quickly. These practices put us all in danger. Drivers become a hazard on the roadways when they are tired and fatigued.

Some companies are not as diligent in their hiring as they should be. They become negligent when they hire someone who is not qualified to drive such a large piece of transportation equipment. A driver's driving record must be considered carefully before hiring someone to drive a truck. When a company does not carefully screen their applicants based upon their driving record, they are negligent. In their quest for warm bodies at the steering wheel, they sometimes hire quickly. If a driver has a safety violation on their driving record, then they should not be considered as a potential truck driver hire. As an example, anyone with existing records of violations, or those who have previously been fired for poor driving should not be offered positions with any other trucking company.

Also, improper or inadequate training is another common failing within the logistics industry. Because of the greater demand for shipping services due to internet shopping, numerous trucking firms need to hire new employees in order to stay competitive. Driving an 18-wheeler requires a very unique skill set that involves precision in order to operate these vehicles safely. The ability to drive these huge trucks skilffully needs to be imparted to new drivers through rigorous training. But, some trucking firms simply do not invest the time and resources necessary for proper training, resulting in many dangerous drivers being released onto the roadways.

Finally, trucking firms have the duty to thoroughly maintain the trucks they own in order to ensure their safety. Brake checks and routine engine inspections are a necessary price of doing business. But some companies simply do not want to take the time and money to do so. The end result is that someone will lose a life to save the trucking company money and time.

About the Author

Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer Joshua P. Myers represents individuals throughout the midwest who have been hurt in an accident with a tractor-trailer. He is an expert personal injury lawyer constantly researching the causes of truck accidents. To speak with him further about a potential case, you may contact his firm toll-free at 877-SUE-TRKS.