by Queener Law | Mar 7, 2015 | Tennessee, Trucking Accident
Approximately 1,241 large truck accidents occurred in Davidson County in 2013, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. In 2012, there were 1,391 accidents involving large trucks on Tennessee roadways. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that at least 10 percent of these deadly truck accidents were caused by jackknifed tractor trailers. The sheer size and weight of tractor trailers alone make them dangerous to motorists, a fact known by a Tennessee truck accident lawyer.
When these massive vehicles are operated by poorly trained or inexperienced truckers, the threat of a jackknife truck accident becomes even greater. Some people believe that there are ways these devastating accidents can be avoided. By taking the proper precautions, truckers could save the lives of thousands of people each year.
What is a jackknife truck accident?
According to the NHTSA, over 90 percent of all jackknife truck accidents involve single tractor trailers. When a trucker loses control of the tractor trailer’s angle, the trailer can swing out alongside the tractor and may come to rest at an awkward angle. There are several ways this can happen, according to Protective Insurance. Truckers who slam on their brakes may cause the trailer to skid out of line with the truck. A jackknife accident can also occur if the trucker approaches a turn too fast and the truck’s tires are unable to maintain its direction.
Motorists may see more jackknifed trucks during inclement weather conditions when the roads are slippery. A Tennessee truck accident lawyer notes that truckers have an increased chance of jackknifing on roads with tight curves. Tractor trailers that are empty or carrying light loads might struggle under the pressure of the truck’s forceful braking system. It is easy for the brakes on these lighter trucks to lock up, causing the trailer to swing wide. Although heavier trucks are less likely to swing out of alignment, big rigs with unbalanced brake systems are at greater risk for creating an incident.
Preventing jackknife accidents
In many cases, jackknifing is preventable. Truck drivers in Tennessee and across the country should be properly trained on how to avoid jackknifing. The key to preventing a jackknife truck accident is to reduce the speed of the tractor trailer, especially during bad weather conditions. Trucks traveling at more than 55 mph are more likely to lose control of the trailer’s angle. If truckers should find themselves in a situation where they are skidding to the side, they should gently ease up on the brakes and attempt to straighten out the trailer.
Jackknife truck accidents can cause serious injuries and the unnecessary deaths of innocent motorists. Truckers should be aware of how to react in these dangerous situations in order to prevent accidents from occurring. Negligent truck drivers who do cause an accident may be held liable for their actions. A Tennessee truck accident lawyer may be able to help victims of tractor trailer collisions.
by Queener Law | Jan 22, 2015 | Tennessee, Trucking Accident
Unaware of the dangerous road that lies ahead, thousands of truck drivers choose to take a shortcut over U.S. Route 129, along the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s western edge, rather than drive an additional 100 miles around, according to The Jackson Sun. However, Tennessee has now banned trucks that measure greater than 30 feet from traversing the curvy road referred to as The Dragon. Many tractor trailer accident attorneys Nashville are well aware that this treacherous road has been the site of over 200 motor vehicle accidents from 2010 to 2012, and six of those accidents involved deaths.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2012, which is the most recent year that large truck fatality information is available, 107 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks across the state. This fatality rate has been climbing since 2009, where 86 lives were lost due to large truck collisions. State officials hope that the new ban will reduce the number of car, truck and motorcycle accidents that occur on the road each year.
The Dragon
Every year, people from around the country and some tourists from other countries are attracted to The Dragon’s amazing curves. According to tractor trailer accident attorneys in Nashville, the road has approximately 318 of them, all within its 11 mile span. Due to its twisty design, however, truckers can have an especially hard time maneuvering around the turns, and in some cases, cars and motorcycles are forced off of the road as a result.
When an accident does occur, the entire road can be blocked for hours during the cleanup process. The North Carolina side of the road has had a large truck ban in place for years, while Tennessee had a posted sign warning truckers of the dangerous curves. Now Tennessee will update their signs in January to inform all motorists of the new ban.
The dangers of large trucks
Even an extremely skilled and focused truck driver can unintentionally cause a devastating truck accident when they become stuck on risky terrain. Inclement weather conditions, including high winds, ice and snow, can make matters even worse. State officials, local residents and loyal tourists all hope that the large truck restriction on the winding Tennessee roadway will reduce the number of injured victims and help everyone enjoy the road’s vivacious curves.
Victims that have been seriously injured in truck accidents should consider the benefits of contacting tractor trailer accident attorneys in Nashville.
by Queener Law | Jan 20, 2015 | CO Truck, Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, Trucking Accident
Roadways are filled with massive tractor-trailers responsible for transporting essential goods across the state and country. While most motorists are somewhat used to navigating around these giant vehicles, drivers who have a better understanding of how commercial trucks operate may be able to prevent a catastrophic accident from occurring. There are some behaviors drivers can practice to maximize their safety on the freeway.
Trucks Need a Greater Distance to Stop
Tractor trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, they may exceed 70 feet in length, making them much more challenging to maneuver than a traditional motor vehicle. Semi-trucks require a longer stopping distance to compensate for their size and weight. For example, a car going 55 mph will take an average of 240 feet to come to a complete stop. Conversely, a tractor-trailer can take 450 feet or more to stop, depending on its exact weight, length, and how fast the truck is going. Drivers should avoid pulling out in front of trucks or cutting them off while making lane changes to prevent getting rear-ended in a truck accident.
Trucks Make Wide Turns
Whether tractor-trailers pull out wide to make a right or left turn, it’s important to give them plenty of room on both sides. Motorists should never attempt to squeeze in the lane between the truck and the curb, but rather should look for the truck’s turn signal and be patient. Remember, getting too close to a turning tractor-trailer may cause a devastating truck accident. Patience in these situations can prevent tragedy.
Trucks Have Large Blind Spots
Tractor trailers have larger-than-normal blind spots, also referred to as no-zones. Truck drivers cannot see vehicles that ride in these zones, located behind and on each side of the truck. The most significant blind spots occur on the right-hand side and behind the truck. Motorists should not linger in these areas to avoid truck accidents and crash injuries. Motorists must understand that if they cannot see the mirror on the side of the tractor-trailer, the truck driver cannot see them.
Trucks are Bigger Than Cars
Drivers need to remember that a tractor-trailer is often four times the size of their vehicle. If a semi is pulling a double trailer, that size difference changes dramatically. This means tractor-trailers need much room when changing lanes or entering freeways. Motorists who try to compete with semis for the same space will not win against a vehicle this large.
Whether a large truck operator is driving while drowsy, distracted, or impaired, motorists must stay focused. Identifying the critical signs that a truck driver is driving negligently can be a matter of life and death.
If you have been injured due to truck driver negligence, the next step would be seeking legal counsel from an experienced tractor-trailer accident attorney, like Henry Queener, as soon as possible.
by Queener Law | Dec 18, 2014 | Tennessee, Trucking Accident
Both truck driver negligence and equipment malfunction contributed to an enormous traffic accident involving three tractor trailers and two cars near Monteagle. According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, motorists were injured when the axle of a commercial truck carrying eggs snapped in two, causing the truck to overturn and spill its contents across the highway. As traffic was stopped at the accident site, another tractor trailer collided with a third commercial truck, spilling cheese and meat onto the highway as well. Fortunately, no one was fatally injured in the accident.
This case is not an isolated incident. In fact, 3,802 U.S. motorists were fatally injured in large truck accidents in 2012. This is a significant increase from the 3,211 people who were killed in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Tennessee’s large truck fatality rate has increased as well, from 86 deaths in 2009 to 107 deaths in 2012.
A closer look at equipment malfunction
Equipment malfunction, which caused the initial truck accident near Monteagle, can result in a devastating accident. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, trucking companies and truckers are responsible for ensuring that their tractor trailersare safe for the road. The trucker must inspect key components of the semi-truck, including the engine, lights, brakes, front suspension, drive axle suspension, drive shaft, axles and tires to make sure that everything is functioning properly. Routine maintenance should also be conducted on a regular basis.
FMCSA reported that in 2012, 20 percent of all large trucks were removed from service because they had too many equipment violations. That equates to more than 2.15 million trucks that did not meet safety or equipment requirements and could have potentially caused an accident.
Truck driver negligence
The second part of the accident in Monteagle occurred when a truck driver was allegedly speeding and failed to stop with traffic at the site of the previous accident. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that it can take a loaded commercial truck nearly 40 percent longer than a passenger vehicle to come to a complete stop. In order to avoid rear-ending the car in front of them, truckers must leave ample space between their truck and the car ahead, and be sure to drive within the posted speed limit. In some areas, the commercial truck speed limit is lower than the speed limit posted for passenger vehicles.
Truck drivers can minimize the risk of an accident, injury and death by refraining from driving while distracted, drowsy or impaired. They should also always perform an equipment inspection before hitting the open road.
by Queener Law | Dec 15, 2014 | Tennessee, Trucking Accident
It takes a highly skilled and trained driver to operate a large commercial truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds. These massive vehicles pose a significant threat to Tennessee motorists when the trucks are operated by incompetent drivers. People who have been involved in a devastating truck accident may have sustained a severe injury, extensive property damage and emotional trauma. Some may have lost a loved one as a result of truck driver negligence. It may be difficult to determine who to hold liable for the extensive damage created in a complicated truck accident. Although many people place the blame solely on the negligent truck driver, the trucking company may also bear responsibility for the collision, and the turmoil it creates.
Truck company responsibilities
Truck companies are responsible for hiring qualified truck drivers who are able to do their job well. Some of their responsibilities include:
- Ensuring that all drivers have taken and passed a drug test and criminal background check.
- Ensuring that all drivers have a clean driving record, free from any significant accidents or penalties.
- Ensuring that all drivers have a valid commercial driver’s license that has not been altered in any way.
- Ensuring that each truck in the fleet is functioning properly, and that all safety equipment is well maintained.
According to the American Trucking Association, there are currently 30,000 to 35,000 available truck driving positions in the U.S. and more freight than trucking companies can handle. In an attempt to meet strict deadlines and move more freight, some trucking companies may ignore federal Hours of Service regulations, which dictate how much time a driver can spend behind the wheel.
Case in point
A high-profile truck accident involving famed actor and comedian Tracy Morgan brought national attention to the issue of negligent trucking companies and truck drivers. According to Businessweek, Morgan and several other passengers who were traveling in a limousine that was rear-ended by a commercial truck have filed a third-party lawsuit against the trucking company responsible for hiring and scheduling the truck driver.
The well-known trucking company had sent the driver to pick up his truck, which was located 700 miles away from his residence in Georgia. Once the truck driver arrived in Delaware, he picked up his 40 ton tractor trailer and started his normal driving shift. When he smashed into Morgan’s limousine in New Jersey, he had been awake for 24 hours. In addition to violating the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s restrictions on driving time, the tractor trailer involved in the accident was equipped with advanced safety technology that was not working properly when the accident occurred.
Trucking companies can be held liable for any damage, injuries and loss of life that occurs as a result of driver negligence, according to a legal doctrine referred to as respondeat superior. This theory simply states that an employer may be held liable for their employees’ actions if they occur within the realm of their employment. The exact liability charges are ultimately dependent on each unique truck accident case.
by Queener Law | Nov 10, 2014 | Tennessee, Trucking Accident
Although driving a large commercial truck requires skill and concentration, some truck drivers engage in distractive behaviors while sitting behind the wheel for an extended period of time. Just as distracted driving is extremely dangerous for Tennessee motorists, it is especially hazardous for large truck operators, as they are responsible for handling vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds. When truck drivers remove their focus off of the road it can result in devastating truck accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,802 people lost their lives in large truck accidents in 2012. Approximately 107 of those deaths occurred in Tennessee and many of them stemmed from distracted truck drivers.
Types of truck driver distractions
According to U.S. News, the following activities are significant sources of truck driver distraction:
- Talking or texting on a cellphone: Engaging in these activities while driving inhibits a truck driver’s ability to mentally focus on the road. Texting while driving is also against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations, which ban the practice for commercial truck drivers in America.
- Eating: Driven by the need to meet an important deadline or make some addition money on their next paycheck, truck drivers may choose to have their meal while behind the wheel. Not only does eating and drinking while driving require the truck driver to remove their hands from the steering wheel, but spilled food can create a vehicular hazard.
- Programming navigation devices and switching radio stations: Whether truck drivers are adjusting the radio, searching for a CD or programming a navigation device, their eyes, hands and mental focus are taken away from the task of driving. This brief interference increases the risk of serious injury to other motorists on the road.
A distracted truck driver was charged with second-degree murder, six counts of criminal damage and 13 instances of endangerment stemming from a devastating truck accident. According to the Huffington Post, the truck driver’s dash camera recorded him watching videos on his cellphone while driving along the Arizona highway. It also recorded the commercial truck quickly approaching a law enforcement vehicle, which was parked alongside the road. The tractor trailer was going 65 miles per hour when it struck the vehicle, instantly killing the officer inside.
Taking action
In an attempt to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities that occur each year as a result of distracted truck drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has enacted a ban on texting and driving. The law also restricts truck drivers from reaching for and holding a cellular device while driving. Truck drivers caught engaging in these illegal behaviors may face significant fines of up to $11,000. Although hands free cellular devices are legal to use, many studies show the inherent dangers that cognitive distraction has on commercial truck drivers.
