Goods are trucked in and out of San Antonio and Bexar County 24 hours a day. Those trucks can be more than 70 feet in length and weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When one of those big rigs impacts with a passenger car, injuries can range from severe to fatal. When this occurs, you’ll want to consult with a San Antonio truck accident attorney.
As per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Commission, here are the leading causes of large truck accidents in the United States:
Brake failure: Nearly 50 percent of all pre-crash violations involve a truck’s braking system. Brake issues were 50 percent more likely during hard braking. Even when a truck’s brakes are properly maintained, it will take a fully loaded tractor-trailer at least 300 feet to come to a complete stop on dry pavement.
Driver violations: Speeding, traveling too fast for weather or traffic conditions and following too closely are all dangerous truck driver behavior. Drivers are also known to cheat on their hours of service logs. That directly affects drowsy and fatigued driving.
Tire violations: Large pieces of truck tires on the road are a common sight. Poor tire condition contributes to 15 percent of all large truck crashes.
Steering components: Truck axles and steering mechanisms need to be periodically maintained. Faulty axles and steering systems lead to 14 percent of all large truck crashes.
Overloading and improper loading: These affect the ability of a large truck to maneuver and stop. Unbalanced loads that shift can cause rollover and jackknife accidents.
If you were injured or lost a family member in a large truck crash in or around the area, contact San Antonio truck accident attorney Jesse Hernandez for a free consultation and case assessment. Our objective is to maximize the proceeds that you deserve for your injuries and damages. Visit our website today.
