Trucking accidents are on the rise according to the latest reports. In fact, fatalities and injuries from these types of crashes recently reached their highest point in more than 30 years. More than 500,000 accidents involving 18-wheelers took place last year alone. While any type of large truck or bus can cause more serious injuries and higher fatality rates than standard passenger vehicles, logging trucks are particularly hazardous. Understanding the potential dangers of these types of trucks may help you protect yourself against the repercussions of an accident.
Looking at the Common Dangers Associated with Log Trucks
A Truck accident attorney handles numerous accidents involving logging trucks. Each one is unique with a different set of circumstances leading up to the crash. Though a number of dangers are associated with logging trucks, among the most significant is their size and weight. These rigs can weigh as much as 88,000 pounds when fully loaded, but their exact specifications vary depending on the model of the truck and trailer, the types of logs being hauled, and several other factors. In comparison, the average car weighs less than 3,000 pounds. That’s only the beginning.
1) Inadequate Training
Simply being able to pass the written and skills tests to acquire a CDL takes a great deal of studying and practice. When it comes to actually driving a loaded 18-wheeler in practical situations, most of a trucker’s capabilities come from hands-on experience. Unusual circumstances, like icy roads and awkward loads, don’t arise on a daily basis, so learning to properly deal with them takes even more time. In many cases, log truck drivers just haven’t had a chance to develop that level of experience, and this can make for potentially deadly scenarios.
2) Improper Loading
Loading a log truck is a particularly tricky task. Workers use winches and cranes to pick up the logs and place them on the trailer, and using this type of heavy machinery can be awkward. At the same time, logs don’t come in uniform sizes, lengths, and weights. Distributing the load evenly and securing it properly is difficult, much more so than loading boxes or pallets. Again, training and experience come into play here.
On top of that, logs often tend to roll or shift when navigating curves and hills. One log shifting its weight could break the chains or tie-downs used to secure the entire load. This makes the truck much more difficult to handle and can even cause the load to come off the trailer while going down the road. Several safety measures are put into place to prevent this from happening, but they’re not completely foolproof. All of these factors come together to create hazardous circumstances that could lead to a crash.
3) Airborne Debris
Airborne debris is always an issue when you’re out on the roadways. Even something as small as a motorcycle could kick up sand and rocks and send them flying into your windshield. Of course, the debris coming off a log truck is often larger and more dangerous. From chunks of bark and stray branches to entire logs, any of these elements could cause significant damage and injuries. If a log or an entire load of them comes off of a trailer, avoiding such a large threat is all but impossible.
4) Not Following the Rules of the Road
Virtually all drivers are guilty of speeding, pushing their way through traffic lights, cutting curves, blurring the lines between yielding and stopping, and other offenses. Because of the length of big trucks and their limited maneuvering capabilities, drivers are often forced to bend the rules a bit. Unfortunately, traffic violations can have far more serious consequences in the case of logging trucks. Whether truck drivers or the people operating passenger vehicles are at fault in these transgressions, not following the rules of the road can have dire repercussions when log trucks are involved.
5) Equipment Failure
Any number of things can go wrong with a truck, including brake failure, hydraulic fluid leaks, tire blowouts, poor trailer connections, transmission malfunctions, overheating, and damaged load-securing mechanisms to name a few. These issues may stem from a lack of maintenance, subpar mechanic work, design flaws, and shortcuts during manufacturing among numerous other shortcomings.
6) Improperly Marked Loads
Logging trucks’ loads and trailers should be clearly marked. In most cases, this means affixing red tape or a clearly visible flag to the longest log in the load and having reflective tape on the trailer itself along with other measures. This helps motorists see the trailer in the dark and gives them an idea of where the load ends as well as other helpful indications. These precautions help reduce the likelihood of an accident, but if they’re not in place, they’re ineffective.
7) Fatigue
Almost 70 percent of American drivers report feeling drowsy on occasion when they’re operating a vehicle according to a recent sleep survey. If you’ve ever experienced a bout of sleepiness or road hypnosis while driving, you understand just how difficult fighting these issues can be. Despite stopping for required rest and sleep intervals, many truckers succumb to fatigue, and this is one of the main hidden dangers of trucking accidents.
8) Distracted Driving
Distractions abound in today’s world, such as mobile phones and Wi-Fi hotspots, unruly passengers, on-the-go-meals, and surrounding vehicles. Even the driver-assist features built into most newer vehicles can sometimes do more harm than good. Distracted driving is the leading cause of accidents in the United States, and those involving log trucks are no different.
9) Illegal Takeovers
Illegal truck takeovers are becoming more and more common on our nation’s highways. This dangerous practice puts the lives of everyone on the road at risk, including the truck drivers themselves. Auto accident attorneys firsthand the devastation that these accidents can cause. If you see a truck making an illegal takeover, don’t hesitate to report it to the authorities. It’s not worth risking your life to try and stop it. If you are involved in an accident with a truck that was making an illegal takeover, it’s essential to seek legal help as soon as possible. The laws governing these accidents are complex, and you’ll need an experienced attorney on your side to help you navigate them. Find an auto accident attorney dedicated to fighting for clients’ rights and getting them the compensation they deserve.
In a Nutshell
Those are the primary dangers most often associated with log trucks. In a few instances, crashes can’t be avoided. All possible precautions are taken when loading, unloading, maintaining, and operating those trucks, and accidents still take place. Other times, negligence is the root cause of injuries, deaths, and property losses when logging trucks are involved.
Though drivers certainly bear the brunt of the responsibilities in these situations, they’re not the only ones who could be at fault. Logging companies, mechanics, parts manufacturers, and even the authorities responsible for maintaining roadways may be accountable. Regardless of who is at fault, it’s important to seek medical and legal help as soon as possible to mitigate the potential aftermath.
