If you are an Illinois motorist, you may be used to sharing the road with large tractor trailers. These giant vehicles can be extremely dangerous, causing serious tractor trailer accidents, injuries and even death. Americans need tractor trailers to deliver important goods throughout the nation. However, it is important to understand the common causes of truck accidents so that you may be able to prevent them from occurring.
Bad weather conditions are one major cause of truck accidents. Rain, snow, ice, fog and wind can cause a large truck to tip over, slide, jackknife or hydroplane. If truckers are driving too fast for the weather conditions or are distracted while behind the wheel, they may be unable to stop and a catastrophic accident could occur.
Another cause of truck accidents is equipment failure. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, truckers are required to inspect their tractor trailers before, after and at certain points during travel. When inspections are not performed correctly, critical equipment malfunctions and errors may be made. For example, a truck’s brakes could go out or lights may malfunction.
When motorists drive dangerously around tractor trailers, it can cause an accident as well. Drivers who pull right in front of large trucks then put on their brakes run the risk of being rear-ended by the truck. Vehicles should avoid traveling in a tractor trailers blind spot, or pulling up alongside a large truck.
This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.