Causes of North Carolina Truck Accident
North Carolina truck accidents happen everyday and everywhere throughout the state. With the average passenger car weighing only 4% of that of a truck, it is easy to see just how damaging these accidents can quickly become. Here's a look at some of the more common causes of these major and often deadly truck accidents:
Stopping Distance
The bigger and heavier the car, the longer it takes to stop. The average truck weighs between 80,000-100,000 pounds. That is a lot of weight to brake on and makes it near impossible for them to avoid an accident that requires a quick reaction stop. Of course, these type of stopping distance accidents always go up when there are a change in driving conditions such as weather, construction zones or heavy traffic.
Rollover accidents
The bigger and heavier the car, the longer it takes to stop. The average truck weighs between 80,000-100,000 pounds. That is a lot of weight to brake on and makes it near impossible for them to avoid an accident that requires a quick reaction stop. Of course, these type of stopping distance accidents always go up when there are a change in driving conditions such as weather, construction zones or heavy traffic.
Visibility Issues
Trucks have blind spots all over and when they can't see you, they are also more likely to hit you. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) notes that trucks have large blind spots on all four sides and account for 1/3 of all truck accidents every year.
Turning limitations
Known as the "wide turn squeeze," trucks often occupy multiple lanes when making a right turn, hitting cars as a result of this major turning limitation.
Driver Error
While there are strict rules around amount of driving time in a given day, drivers get tired and often make mistakes after a long day of driving. And just like car drivers, driving under the influence and texting while driving are also illegal activities truck drivers engage in while on the road that ultimately lead to serious and fatal accidents. Improper training especially if a route has difficult conditions can also cause accidents ultimately attributed to
Truck Maintenance
Trucks take a lot of work and constant inspection to maintain and avoid mechanical accidents. These in-depth and routine inspections are something that is legally required of all commercial trucks. Issues with brakes, mechanics and tires can and does cause truck accitailer is illegally overloaded.