Get Legal Justice Now – Trust a Kansas Water Truck Accident Lawyer
Water truck accidents can have a devastating effect on people and property. There are many factors involved in water truck accidents such as driver’s mistakes, mechanical failure, and poor road conditions. If you have suffered an injury in a water truck accident, it is essential to reach out to an experienced water truck accident lawyer so that you can understand the complexities arising from the water truck crash cases. At Royce Injury, our accident lawyers have the relevant expertise and research to help you win the compensation you deserve. Need help after a water truck accident? Our experienced attorneys can help you with all aspects of a water truck crash, rollover, or any other type of accident. Contact us now for your free consultation.
What Unique Hazards do Water Trucks Present on the Roads?
Water trucks can be very hazardous on the road because they are enormous and carry thousands of gallons of water which adds to their weight. Most common and intrinsic hazards that water trucks present on the road are;
A constant risk of rollovers: The center of gravity issues remain prominent in water trucks, making them prone to rollovers. Rollers can be risky for water drugs as well as other vehicles on the road.
Limited visibility: The driver’s seat in water trucks is so high up that it impairs the driver’s visibility to see other vehicles or any road defect.
Mechanical defects: An average water tank has the capacity to store and carry thousands of gallons of water, thus adding to the weight of a water truck which usually weighs 10,000 Pounds to 80,000 pounds. The weight exerts a significant impact on the breaking capabilities of the truck and overall stability when it is on the road. If not maintained timely, it increases the risk of water truck rollover crashes.
Spillage issue: Water spillage from water truck accidents can make the roads slippery, which can have disastrous effects on other vehicles on the road, the environment, and people.
Lack of proper maintenance: Water trucks are susceptible to the rusting of the operating parts of the truck. Therefore, out of all the heavy machinery, the water trucks need the most regular maintenance to minimize the risk of crashes, spillage, leaks, or rollovers of water trucks.
For these reasons, it is important that proper training and education are provided to water truck drivers to reduce water truck crashes and rollovers. Regular workshops for water truck drivers, equipping them with modern techniques can help minimize the risk of an accident on the roads due to water spillage and rollovers.
What Causes Water Truck Accidents?
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has adopted the Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS) that analyses factors involved in truck crashes. Approximately 68% of water truck crashes happen due to rollover and spillage. The factors involved in the water truck crash are;
- Navigation error: Impairment of the driver’s ability to perceive the environment while on the road causes most water truck crashes. Drunk driving, multitasking while driving, and road rage causes navigation error for water truck drivers.
- Vehicle failure due to malfunctions: Brake failure, rusty parts of water trucks, tire punctures, engine failure, etc., are some of the most common vehicle failures that contribute to water truck rollover crashes.
- Potholes, hurdles, speed breakers, etc: Poor road conditions, such as potholes, hurdles, bushes, speed breakers, rough terrain, or slippery surfaces, can cause loss of control and water truck crashes.
- Water overloading: Filling the water tanks more than their storage capacity can topple the water truck, causing water spillage.
- Extreme weather conditions: Heavy rains, storm, snow, and other weather conditions makes navigation difficult for truck drivers. Low visibility and slippery surface add to the driving difficulties for water truck drivers.
Who Can Be Held Legally Liable in a Water Truck Accident?
A water truck accident involves various liable parties, depending on the circumstances of the case. Sometimes it is the driver’s fault – drowsy driving, drunk driving, or speeding. However, it can also be the fault of the trucking company that hired the independent truck driver, the loading company’s failure to estimate the loading capacity of the water truck, the unmaintained roads by government maintenance departments, or the poor maintenance of trucks by the trucking companies, etc.
Consult a Kansas City truck accident lawyer to understand who can be liable to pay damages if you have suffered injuries in a water truck accident that was not your fault.
Bottom Line
Water truck accidents can result in life-changing injuries, impairments, and damages. Our lawyers at Royce Injury can help if you’ve been involved in a water truck accident by representing your interests and ensuring that you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your options.
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