Truck rollovers are a serious problem on North Carolina roads. These accidents can cause significant damage and injuries, and are often caused by a combination of factors, including driver error, faulty truck equipment, and hazardous road conditions.
Commercial trucks with heavy loads are the vehicles that are most at-risk of rolling over. When these trucks tip over, they can land on other vehicles, causing catastrophic injuries. In other instances, the loads the trucks are carrying can come loose after a rollover, which can create a hazardous condition and causing unavoidable collisions with the materials in the roadway.
According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (which was commissioned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), truck rollover accidents may be the cause of up to 9% of all large truck crashes nationally.
There are three major causes of negligent truck rollovers: driver error, improper truck loading mistakes, and failure to adequately maintain the trucks themselves.
Driver Error
Truck rollovers caused by driver error can come in many shapes and sizes. One constant factor is that the driver is operating the vehicle in a method inappropriate for the road and environment they are driving in. This can include driving too quickly around a curve (as centrifugal forces will cause a heavy load to tip the truck over if the truck is going too quickly), driving too quickly in wet or icy conditions, or just generally moving in an erratic manner, causing their heavy truck loads to shift around inside the truck.
Commercial trucks have a “black box” that contains all the speed and braking information when the truck is in motion. This information can be used to prove that a commercial vehicle was driving in a manner unsafe for the conditions presented on the road.
This information needs to be gathered from the truck soon after a rollover, before the trucking company has a chance to delete the data or otherwise compromise a personal injury lawyer’s investigation of the facts and circumstances of the truck rollover.
A personal injury lawyer should be retained shortly after a truck rollover accident to make sure all information is preserved to adequately protect your rights. Otherwise, it can be very difficult to prove exactly whether driver error played a roll in your injuries.
Improper Load
The most common type of improper load is when a truck is either too heavy or otherwise overloaded with materials. In the United States, a big rig may carry a maximum of 80,000 pounds. If a truck is carrying more than 80,000, it is presumptively overloaded, which could result in legal liability to the freight company, should the truck rollover.
Another type of improper load is improper securing of the truck’s load. If a heavy load shifts inside of the vehicle at high speeds, it can cause the driver to lose control and turn over. Physics can often work against a truck if the materials being hauled are allowed to moving around freely.
Failure to Maintain
Another common cause of truck rollovers is faulty truck equipment. Trucks are complex machines, and when a part fails it can cause the truck to lose control and roll over. This is particularly true for the tires, which are the only point of contact between the truck and the road. If a tire blows out or fails in some other way, it can cause the truck to lose control and roll over.
To prevent truck rollovers, it is important for truck drivers to be properly trained and to follow all safety regulations. Trucking companies should also regularly inspect and maintain their trucks to ensure that they are in good working order. Additionally, roads should be properly maintained to prevent hazardous conditions that could contribute to rollovers.
To build a strong case, your lawyer will need to investigate the accident thoroughly. This may involve collecting evidence, such as the police report, eyewitness statements, and photos or video of the accident scene. Your lawyer may also need to inspect the truck to determine if there were any mechanical failures or defects that contributed to the accident.
Your lawyer will also need to gather information about your injuries and the medical treatment you have received. This may include medical records, bills, and other documentation of your medical expenses. Your lawyer may also need to speak with your doctors to understand the full extent of your injuries and the long-term effects they may have on your health.
Finally, your lawyer may need to gather information about the truck driver and the trucking company to determine if they were at fault for the accident. This may include information about the driver’s training, experience, and driving history, as well as the trucking company’s safety record and compliance with regulations.
If you have been involved in a truck rollover accident, it is important to seek medical attention right away. You may also want to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your legal rights and options. A lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and other damages.
By investigating the accident and collecting all of this information, your lawyer can help you build a strong case and pursue the compensation you deserve.
