How Can Truckers Prevent Rollover Accidents?
When trucks roll over on the highway, the resulting damage is usually devastating. Not only is the trucker likely to sustain life-threatening injuries, but all the vehicles in the vicinity are also at risk of colliding with the truck itself or any scattered debris.
The good news is most truck rollover accidents are preventable. According to a review originally published in the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, the Large Truck Crash Causation Study revealed that nearly half of the rollover crashes researchers analyzed occurred because the trucker failed to slow down when rounding curves in the road.
If you were hurt in a motor vehicle collision because a trucker failed to exercise reasonable caution for the road conditions, turn to the Cooper Law Firm. A Texas truck accident lawyer can assess the circumstances of the incident to determine if you are eligible for compensation. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Read on to learn about ways truckers can reduce the risk of causing a catastrophic rollover accident:
- By Judging Curves Accurately
All it takes to cause a potentially fatal collision in a truck is driving a little too fast around a curve that is a little too sharp. Experienced truckers know they must adjust their speed for the road conditions, and they usually make it a point to do so—unless they misjudge the speed as which to enter a particular curve.
- By Balancing the Cargo
Unbalanced cargo is a recipe for disaster. Although truckers are not typically responsible for loading their cargo, they can disturb its positioning by driving in a haphazard or reckless manner. Once the cargo becomes unbalanced, a collision is essentially inevitable, and one sharp turn can result in a devastating rollover crash.
- By Anticipating Road Hazards
Making any kind of sudden maneuver can affect a truck’s stability. This includes accelerating quickly, stopping short, and taking turns sharply.
Although it is impossible to predict every road hazard that might arise, a trucker can reduce the risk of a rollover crash by anticipating potential dangers and by leaving plenty of room between the truck and the other vehicles in the vicinity.
- By Maintaining Control of the Truck
Truckers need to be especially vigilant when driving in the rain, traveling through heavy winds, and crossing tall bridges. When road conditions are poor, it does not take much to lose control of the vehicle, and once that happens, a catastrophic collision is typically the only outcome.
Truck rollover accidents are especially devastating in heavy traffic because they usually strike multiple vehicles as they roll. In these kinds of scenarios, fatalities are common, and those who survive the impact are likely to sustain severe injuries.
If you were hurt in a truck rollover crash and you want to hold the liable party accountable, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Attorney N. Eric Cooper is proud to represent accident victims throughout east Texas.
Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Texas. If you want to learn more about truck accident claims, visit the USAttorneys website.