The holiday season is a time when people come together to celebrate and enjoy fun festivities with their loved ones. However, it is also a time of year when roads are more heavily trafficked with trucks, due to the surge in demand for products and inventory. The increased number of trucks on the road can also lead to an increased risk of truck accidents and serious injuries during the holiday season.
Why Are There More Trucks on the Road During the Holidays?
During the holidays, many businesses experience a surge in the demand for their products, so they need to bring in more inventory and supplies. The large number of trucks on the roads trying to keep up with these demands can have a significant impact on both traffic and congestion. Big commercial trucks typically take up more space on roadways than other vehicles, which can cause bottlenecks and slowdowns for other drivers. In addition, truck drivers may feel increased pressure to get their deliveries completed before the holidays, which can lead to more reckless or careless driving behaviors.
This heavy traffic and congestion can also have a negative impact on commuters and other travelers driving to and from holiday gatherings or shopping excursions. It can be more difficult to maneuver and find parking spaces around popular shopping areas or restaurants during the holiday season. The overwhelming number of cars and trucks in commercial areas during the holidays can put both drivers and pedestrians more at risk for accidents.
What Are Different Types of Truck Accidents?
There are many types of truck accidents that can occur during the busy holiday season, including the following:
- Jackknife accidents: Jackknifing occurs when the trailer of a truck swings out, forming an acute angle with the truck’s cab. A jackknife accident often involves the trailer of the truck colliding into one or more vehicles in oncoming traffic.
- T-bone accidents: T-bone accidents, also called sideswipe accidents, happen when two vehicles collide perpendicularly and are often caused by drivers running red lights or failing to obey other traffic laws.
- Head-on collisions: A head-on collision with a large truck can be catastrophic and is typically caused by speeding, driver impairment, and poor visibility. Head-on collisions commonly occur in rural areas where the roads are narrow and passing can be treacherous.
- Rear-end accidents: Rear-end accidents involving trucks can be dangerous in nature due height and weight of a large trucks. These types of accidents often cause serious injuries to the occupants of the rear-ended vehicle.
- Rollovers: Truck drivers can lose control of their heavy trucks if they speed or take turns too sharply. When large trucks roll over and slide, they can take other vehicles down with them and cause severe or fatal injuries.
- Tire blowouts: Massive tire blowouts on trucks can lead to rollovers, flying road debris, loosened loads, and additional hazards for drivers as well as pedestrians. When truck drivers lose control of their trucks due to a tire blowout, it can cause some of the most devasting kinds of crashes.
- Underride accidents: An underride accident occurs when a car or other smaller vehicle travels underneath the body of a large truck. These types of accidents can be life-threatening, and they often result in traumatic brain injuries.
- Blind spot accidents: Large trucks have huge blind spots, which is especially dangerous when truck drivers change lanes and cannot see smaller vehicles. Truck accidents often involve cars getting hit, crushed, or forced off the road into other traffic when truck drivers are unable to see them due to big blind spots.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents can happen for a variety of reasons but are most often caused by the negligence of truck drivers or other entities. The most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Speeding: Speeding is not only a leading cause of car accidents, but also a top cause of truck accidents.
- Crossing over lanes: Trucks accidents are often caused by trucks crossing over the center lane or off the road.
- Loading errors: Improperly or overloaded freight can fall out of a truck, putting nearby drivers in extreme danger.
- Poor truck maintenance: Truck defects and faulty parts, including problems with tires, wheels, brakes, engines, transmissions, and steering wheels, are common contributors to truck accidents.
- Driver performance: Truck drivers who drive aggressively or carelessly, while drowsy, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause truck accidents.
What Can You Do to Prepare for the Holiday Season?
There are a few things that you can do to prepare for increased truck traffic during the holidays. The first is to be extra vigilant when driving near trucks since these vehicles are much larger and heavier than other types of vehicles on the road. This means being aware of your surroundings at all times, watching out for sudden stops or turns by trucks, and giving them plenty of space when passing or changing lanes.
Another helpful strategy is to plan any travel around busy holiday periods in advance so that you can avoid areas with high levels of truck traffic if possible. It may be helpful to try using alternate routes or taking public transit instead of driving.
Finally, it is important to remember that truck drivers are people too, so practicing patience and courtesy can go a long way during the busy holiday season.
Cincinnati Truck Accident Lawyers at the Wolterman Law Office Can Help You After a Holiday Truck Accident
The holiday season can be great for families, however, there are more trucks on the road, and everyone needs to be extra vigilant. Even when taking every possible precaution, you could still find yourself in an accident with a truck. If you do, you may be entitled to compensation. Speak with one of our experienced Cincinnati truck accident lawyers at the Wolterman Law Office. Call us at 513-488-1135 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Loveland, Ohio, we serve clients in Hamilton County, Fairfield, Norwood, and Forest Park.