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Weekly, in the greater Houston area, a big truck rolls over and shuts down a highway for hours at a time, stranding commuters and sending many to the hospital or the morgue. Houston truck accidents happen every day.
These incidents often involve large vehicles like 18-wheelers, whose substantial size and weight make them especially prone to rollovers during sharp turns or curves. Houston truck accidents happen every day.
Roll Over Accidents
One must ask, why are there so many semi trucks rolling over?
These accidents not only disrupt traffic and endanger truck drivers, but can also involve or put passenger cars at risk, highlighting the danger to all road users.
A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) indicated that almost 50% of the truck rollover accidents with a semi-truck were caused by a driver not reducing speed heading into curves on the roadways, issues regarding the brakes, or intersection issues.
Data from electronic data recorders (black boxes) is often used to analyze the causes of these rollovers, such as driver fatigue, inattention, or improper maneuvers.
Click here to see the study.
For example, if a truck driver fails to reduce speed when approaching a sharp curve—without taking weather and traffic conditions into account—this can easily result in a rollover.
Inattention on the part of the truck driver is the second most common cause of rollover crashes. The third major cause of a rollover truck wreck is improper steering input. Finally, the height and weight of the load on the trailer can have a significant impact on how easily a big truck tips over, especially if a shift in the load occurs, increasing the risk of a rollover.
When a vehicle enters a curve, centrifugal force causes the vehicle to lean in the opposite direction of the curve. Big trucks are especially susceptible to rollover accidents because the high center of gravity takes less centrifugal force to tip over a truck.
Additional studies have shown that rollover crashes are one of the deadliest of all truck accidents, resulting in substantial numbers of fatalities for the truck driver or passengers of the big truck, not to mention the motoring public around the rig.
When a rolling truck is out of control, it can strike other vehicles or objects, greatly increasing the danger for everyone nearby.
Many rollover crashes occur on freeway ramps and inclines where the truck driver fails to reduce speed sufficiently to account for the curve in the roadway.
It often appears from initial reports that excessive speed or sudden maneuvers are involved. Trucks changing lanes or failing to stay within lanes can also contribute to these accidents. A truck may swerve to avoid an obstacle, which can lead to a rollover. Driver error is a major cause of a rollover truck crash, with excessive speed at the top of the list, and often involves the driver having lost control of the vehicle.
Truck drivers are or should be trained to reduce speed while navigating curves in the roadway to avoid a rollover accident. The problem of driver error is exacerbated by companies that overload the big truck in order to maximize profits on the trip. Many drivers are caught between a rock and a hard place when their companies load the truck and insist they carry the load as secured.
Both drivers and trucking companies may be held liable for improper loading or inadequate training, and determining which parties are responsible is crucial for pursuing compensation.
When trucks are overloaded, multiple parties, including the company and the driver, may share responsibility for any resulting accidents. After a rollover, drivers often face significant challenges as they try to recover from injuries or the aftermath of the incident.
Shifting cargo can also pose a risk of a rollover crash. It is important to secure not only the cargo but also your right to compensation after an accident. Likewise, vehicles that are not roadworthy, particularly those with poor breaking ability, can substantially increase the odds of a rollover crash. Additionally, underinflated tires can also contribute to a rollover.
After a rollover, it is essential for both drivers and companies to implement improved safety measures to prevent future incidents.
Drivers are charged with the duty of inspecting their loads, the condition of their trucks, and ensuring that their trucks are in proper operating condition. Trucking companies are required to ensure that their drivers are properly trained and follow the rules that apply to motor carriers and truck drivers.
The vast majority of rollover crashes could’ve been avoided with safe driving practices and properly maintained vehicles.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover accident involving an 18-wheeler truck, call a leading truck accident injury lawyer in Houston for a free consultation- Call (281) 893-0760!
Related Resources:
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Tanker Truck Rollover Prevention Tactics and Strategies
Another semi truck rollover in Houston
Semi-Truck Lost Load of Lumber on Eastex Freeway
