Factors that Contribute to Truck Rollover Accidents
When a truck rollover accident occurs, it involves the vehicle rolling onto its side, which can have fatal consequences for the driver and any passenger vehicles nearby. Larger trucks are at an increased risk for rollover accidents simply due to their high center of gravity and the fact that they often carry heavy cargo. However, other factors can also contribute to these crashes.
Speeding
The higher the speed, the less control a truck driver has to maneuver and stop their vehicle to avoid a collision. A rollover accident is highly likely when a truck driver speeds too fast for the load they are carrying, the weather conditions, or around curves.
Distracted Driving
Whether inexperience or negligence is the reason, a truck driver can quickly cause a rollover accident if they are not completely focused on the road. Common examples of distractions include:
- Talking on the phone
- Texting
- Eating or drinking
- Changing the music
- Looking at signs instead of the road
- Impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Feeling tired
- Daydreaming
Since truckers typically travel long distances, it is easy to engage in activities while driving to avoid boredom, fatigue, or the stress of looming deadlines.
Driver Inexperience or Lack of Training
A truck driver’s inexperience or lack of training can be both the primary cause or a contributing factor in a truck rollover accident. Poor steering, including oversteering and understeering, overcorrecting for an error, following another vehicle too closely, inadequate reactions to traffic conditions, failing to downshift to decrease speed, and improper braking can all result in a truck rolling over.
Improper Truck Maintenance
If a truck driver or trucking company fails to thoroughly inspect a truck before use, there is an increased risk of a rollover accident happening. For instance, if the truck has faulty:
- Brakes
- Tires, wheels, or rims
- Steering
- Rearview mirrors
- Windshield wipers
- Lights and reflectors
- Horn and emergency equipment
If the truck or any of these parts fail, a simple mistake, overcorrection, bad weather, etc., can quickly lead to a truck rollover crash.
Improper Cargo Loading
When a truck’s cargo is unsecured or overloaded, and the cargo company or the truck driver fails to account for the load’s height or weight accurately, it can significantly contribute to the possibility of a rollover due to the imbalanced and unsecured state of the load. Additionally, trucks that carry tankers full of liquid cargo can easily roll over if there is a sudden shift or if the tanker is only partially loaded, and the liquid moves back and forth, altering the truck’s center of gravity.
When a truck rollover accident involves other road users, there is a higher chance of a fatality occurring than in other types of traffic accidents. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or lost their life after involvement in a truck rollover accident, you could have a claim against the truck driver and/or trucking company to recover compensation. Speak to an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer to learn your legal options.