Common Causes of Dump Truck Accidents

Hours of Service regulations for truck drivers prohibit them from driving more than 14 consecutive hours in a day. After a 14 hour shift, they must take 10 consecutive hours off duty. The reason for this regulation is to prevent fatigue, which can lead to poor reaction times, attention failure and poor decision making, resulting in greater crash risks. If a truck driver is under a tight deadline, they might not pull over and get rest when they start feeling fatigued. Or, they might not take the required time off after a 14 hour shift. Other rules exist for taking breaks during their driving shifts. Violations of these Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules indicate negligence on the part of the driver and the trucking company.

Dump truck drivers should check fluid levels and tire pressure on their trucks often, at least twice weekly, if not more frequently. Another part of proper maintenance is checking the battery for tight connection and ensuring no corrosion. Many dump trucks have several batteries, one for the engine and another one for the dumping mechanism. In addition, maintenance for the hydraulics system, which lifts and lowers heavy loads is important. Lastly, the engine must be in good operating order. The FMCSA requires dump trucks to pass safety inspections to guarantee they abide by industry standards. Drivers and companies must adhere to annual inspections and some might have to undergo inspections after an accident or other specified situations.

Hours of Service regulations for truck drivers prohibit them from driving more than 14 consecutive hours in a day. After a 14 hour shift, they must take 10 consecutive hours off duty. The reason for this regulation is to prevent fatigue, which can lead to poor reaction times, attention failure and poor decision making, resulting in greater crash risks. If a truck driver is under a tight deadline, they might not pull over and get rest when they start feeling fatigued. Or, they might not take the required time off after a 14 hour shift. Other rules exist for taking breaks during their driving shifts. Violations of these Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules indicate negligence on the part of the driver and the trucking company.

Under pressure to make deliveries, companies sometimes hire unqualified contractors to drive their trucks. If the contractor has little experience driving dump trucks, which is a specialized type of vehicle, they could pose a danger to other vehicles. Knowing how to react effectively in emergency situations is an acquired skill. Companies might cut corners for any number of reasons: to reduce costs, meet delivery deadlines or solve a staffing problem of not enough drivers. Doing so is a form of negligence. Trucking companies should thoroughly screen drivers before hiring them by examining their prior work experience and driving history along with their traffic violations. They should conduct drug testing and ensure substance abuse is not an issue. Likewise, companies should ensure that medical conditions, such as sleep apnea are not jeopardizing a driver’s performance.

Dump truck drivers should check fluid levels and tire pressure on their trucks often, at least twice weekly, if not more frequently. Another part of proper maintenance is checking the battery for tight connection and ensuring no corrosion. Many dump trucks have several batteries, one for the engine and another one for the dumping mechanism. In addition, maintenance for the hydraulics system, which lifts and lowers heavy loads is important. Lastly, the engine must be in good operating order. The FMCSA requires dump trucks to pass safety inspections to guarantee they abide by industry standards. Drivers and companies must adhere to annual inspections and some might have to undergo inspections after an accident or other specified situations.

Overloading dump trucks beyond their recommended capacity can lessen the brakes’ effectiveness during emergency situations. The brakes get hot faster than they should and it erodes the vehicle’s structure, steering, suspension and chassis. It can also harm the hydraulic system. Not to mention, it takes longer for the dump truck to stop, so the stopping distance increases. In Texas, companies and truck drivers who exceed weight limits can receive fines. For second and subsequent offenses, courts can even render jail sentences, and prosecute the persons responsible for overloading the vehicle. Overloaded trucks are type of negligence that lawyers can use as evidence in their cases to recover compensation for damages.