What Conditions Contribute to Waldorf, MD Truck Rollover Accidents?
When someone is involved in an accident with a large commercial truck, the results are often catastrophic. Occupants of both the passenger vehicle and the large truck can sustain serious injuries, or even ultimately pass away due to the severity of their injuries. While there is no guarantee you can prevent an accident from happening, it is good to know the common causes of large truck accidents and why you need to be an extra defensive driver when large trucks are nearby on the road.
You might be wondering if truck rollover accidents are even that common. According to the most recent statistics compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were around 17,000 truck rollover accidents in 2017 alone. During that same year, at least 170,000 people were injured in collisions involving large trucks across the country.
If you or a loved one were injured due to the negligence of a truck driver, you need to speak with a skilled Charles County truck accident attorney who can help.
Speeding
Speeding plays a huge role in rollover collisions throughout the state. In some areas, speeding accounts for nearly half of all large truck rollover accidents. Many rollovers that can be attributed to speed occur at curves in the road. If you are driving into a curve with a large truck that looks like it is going too fast, it is best to put some distance between you and the truck.
Truck drivers often misjudge what the safe speed is to navigate the curve. Combine that with a high center of gravity and potentially a large cargo load, and you have the makings of a rollover accident.
Distracted Driving
If texting while driving in a passenger vehicle is dangerous, you can imagine how much worse it can be if a large truck driver is the one who is doing the texting. Distracted driving is a major cause of injury accidents, not just in rollover scenarios. Distracted driving is not just about texting, either. A truck driver can be changing the radio station when hitting that curve, or was eating when traffic comes to an unexpected stop.
Overloaded or Unbalanced Load
When trucks are transporting a load, it can in some cases have disastrous results if the load is not balanced or there is too much weight on the trailer. Heavy or unbalanced loads can affect the truck’s center of gravity and cause the truck to roll over in certain types of accidents.
Lack of Proper Maintenance
Truck drivers have a duty to ensure their rigs are properly maintained, and they should conduct a safety check before getting on the road every time. If a tire blows or the brakes go out, the driver may be forced to turn suddenly, and that movement could cause the truck to flip over.
Contact a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you are looking for the best personal injury attorney in Maryland to assist you with your auto accident claim, contact the Law Offices of Robert R. Castro today at 301-870-1200. Our team of skilled Waldorf accident attorneys has years of experience helping Charles County clients get the compensation they deserve.
