Causes for Trucking Accidents

At the Law Office of Gary G. Goldberg we know there are many causes for trucking accidents, which can include any of the following.

• Falling Debris
• Overweight
• Overloaded Trucks
• Bald Tires
• Tire Blowouts
• Swinging Turns
• Braking Ability
• Squeezing Play
• Blind Spots

Truck drivers and other drivers (including motorcycles and autos) should be aware of these types of truck accidents, take the necessary precautions, and drive accordingly.  While we sincerely hope you will never require our services, if you are involved in a trucking accident due to one of the following, contact us. The consultation is free, and we have the knowledge and experience to help.

Truck Blind Spots – No Zone Accident

Trucks have huge blind spots, also referred to as “no zone” areas.  Typically, the larger the truck, the larger the blind spot.  We all know about blind spots on the sides of our vehicle.  The tractor trailer driver has a blind spot in the rear (back) of the truck, as well as in the front of the truck.  Be aware of truck blind spots, and avoid these areas if possible.  Typically, if you cannot see the truck driver in his mirror, the truck driver probably cannot see you.

Squeeze Play and Wide Turns

“Squeeze play” is a term used to describe a truck accident that occurs when a truck driver needs to make a turn.  This is also referred to as a “swinging turn” accident.  For example, if a tractor trailer needs to make a right turn, it will swing left to negotiate the turn.  This can cause a truck accident in two ways:  First, when the truck swings left, it can “squeeze” a car between it and the curb.  This occurs because truck drivers are often unable to see cars right next to them.  Second, cars attempting to pass on the right, or driving on the right, but in the truck driver’s blind spot, are also susceptible to trucking accidents from the “squeeze play.”  If you have been involved in a “squeeze play” accident, you need an injury lawyer knowledgeable in this area.

Sudden Truck Braking and Brake-Failure Accidents

Truck accidents from braking (or lack of braking ability) can occur in several ways, including:

• Brake Failure
• Improper Braking Technique
• Stopping Distance

Brake Failure

Brake failure occurs because of improper installation, age, or maintenance by either the big rig owner (for big rig brakes), or the truck trailer owner  (for truck trailer brakes).  Also, according to Technical Services (TS), a truck’s brakes can dramatically heat up from overuse, for example riding the brakes on a long downgrade, or from sudden stopping (especially at high speeds).  The heavier the truck, generally, the more heat generated.  In addition, improper loading can make the brakes heat up more during use.

Improper Braking Technique

According to Technical Services, truckers should apply their brakes in a way that will reduce their speed by about 5-6 mph with each application.  A runaway truck is very dangerous.  Proper braking technique will help preserve a truck’s brakes.

Stopping Distance / Rear-end Collisions

Trucks require a much greater stopping distance to stop than cars.  The heavier the truck, the greater the distance needed to stop.  When cars or truck drivers fail to realize the distance needed to stop, the risk of a rear-end collision increases.  According to the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Course for Professional Truck Drivers, the stopping distance for an 80,000 pound tractor trailer, traveling at 30 mph on a dry, level road, is 100 feet.  If we double the speed to 60 mph, the stopping distance for that truck doesn’t double, it increases over four-fold to 426 feet.  If we increase that speed another 5 mph, to 65 mph, the distance needed to stop increases almost another 100 feet, to 525 feet (compared to 316 feet for a car – more than 200 extra feet).  It is no wonder that trucks are involved in many rear-end collisions.  Truck drivers and other vehicles need to understand the distance discrepancy between cars and trucks, and drive accordingly.