Commercial freight trucks are a constant danger despite their usefulness in meeting our supply-chain requirements and their astounding size and weight. Over the past two decades, there has been a growth in the number of heavy trucks on the road, but the risks they entail have not been adequately addressed.
According to new legislation, truck weight limitations within the state of Georgia have recently been raised to well over 80,000 pounds for use in some business sectors. The fact that large vehicles are restricted to select highways and roads does not make them any safe, and they may need the help of a Nevada injury lawyer.
Problems with Truck Safety
The safety of truck and trailer drivers and other motorists on the road is greatly compromised by the extra weight these vehicles carry. As a matter of simple physics, it takes more work to stop a heavier object once it is in motion. Although truck drivers receive extensive training, many other variables contribute to road safety.
Brakes, tires, suspension, and even early collision warning systems can all be negatively impacted by additional weight. Because of this, stopping distances, overall mobility, and the likelihood of brake and tire failure increase dramatically. A commercial driver’s education and experience are not enough to eliminate the risk of an accident or mitigate its devastating effects on other motorists. It does not matter how fast a truck is moving; if the driver is not paying attention, it might be catastrophic.
What to do?
Negligent driving has a key role, but not the only role, in accidents involving tractor-trailer trucks, which may have injured you or a loved one. The circumstances leading up to an accident are crucial in determining who should be liable for any resulting damages. Typically, careless motorists are multitasking, racing, overtired, or impaired. Negligent drivers should be held responsible for their actions because the extra weight and decreased reaction time might compound the already dire effects.
It is nevertheless crucial to remember that drivers are not always 100 percent to blame for crashes. Car and truck part manufacturers must also ensure their products are safe for consumers to use. Defective safety systems, such as non-deploying airbags or unsteady seats, can amplify the destruction caused by an accident. It is possible that vital safety elements, like stability control or alert systems, are either out of date or not calibrated for a certain weight. It is possible that the manufacturer or the trucking firm is to blame here for lax safety standards.
Even if everyone on the road takes every precaution possible, there will always be the potential that a major accident will occur due to someone else’s carelessness.