Hammond, IN Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Motorists
Indiana Personal Injury Law Firm Pursues Maximum Damages for Victims of Semi-Truck Crashes
There are numerous causes of tractor-trailer accidents. Knowing how and why they occur can help reduce the numbers and keep Indiana roads safe. Here are some common reasons commercial truck accidents happen:
Excessive Loads
Laws provide limitations regarding how much cargo a truck is legally allowed to carry at one time. In Indiana, interstate trucks must not exceed the maximum gross weight limit of 80,000 pounds, 20,000 pounds per axle, 34,000 pounds tandem axle, 50,000 pounds tri-axle, and 800 pounds per inch of tire width (measured between the flanges of the rim). When trucks are loaded in excess of that limit, drivers can lose control of the truck and cause an accident.
Driver Distraction
Driver distraction, such as fatigue, the use of alcohol or drugs, talking or texting on a cell phone, eating while driving, and other types of inattention are a frequent cause of truck accidents. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in an accident while they are texting or using a cell phone, and drivers reaching for an object while driving are three times more likely to be involved in a crash.
Stopping Distances
The weight of an average motor vehicle is about 2.5 tons, while a tractor-trailer can weigh up to 40 tons. Therefore, it takes much longer to stop a tractor-trailer than a passenger vehicle. For example, if a vehicle and a large commercial truck are both traveling at 40 and start braking at the same time, the semi-truck will travel 45 feet further before coming to a complete stop.
Contact a Hammond, IN Injury Law Firm Today
Were you involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer in Hammond, IN that caused you to sustain serious injuries? Contact the injury attorneys at Kelly Law Offices, LLC online or call 1-800-859-8800 to discuss your case today. There is never a fee unless you collect!
