Challenges for Large Truck Drivers
The earliest 18-wheelers were manufactured with the purpose of transporting cars. As cars became more popular across the country, getting them from the manufacturing plant to the consumer became quite a challenge. Before the first version of the 18-wheeler was made, the only methods for delivery were by means of the train which was very expensive, or by driving the car to the customer’s residence which had its own obstacles. So to solve the problem, Alexander Winton of the Winton Motor Carriage Company in Ohio hooked up a tractor to a truck and then loaded one car onto the tractor. He was able to haul his automobiles, one-at-a-time to his customers.
The 18-wheelers of today are much larger and transport more than 70% of all the goods and cargo that move across the country. These massive trucks have come a long way from the time of Alexander Winton and have transformed how our society functions. Weighing in at up to 80,000 pounds, they require a very large engine to power them forward. When compared to the engines in a common passenger vehicle, 18-wheeler engines are six times larger and immensely powerful.
Operating an 18-Wheeler
Operating an 18-wheeler is much more complex than driving a passenger vehicle and truck drivers require specific training. For instance, your average big rig needs a minimum of 55 feet of room when it is turning. Judging when and where to make a turn is just one of the considerations truck drivers have to think about when they are driving. With a lot of roads in the country being only 24 feet wide, a truck driver must be trained on how to manage these tight spots. By backing up and moving forward, a driver can make small movements that will lead to a successful turn. Truck drivers not only need the right training, but they also need plenty of practice.
Trucks are always on the roads picking up goods and dropping them off. Every year trucks travel over 175 billion miles. Despite the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s guidelines for the amount of consecutive hours truck drivers can operate their rig and when they must take a break, truck accidents happen every day. If you have been a victim of a large truck accident in Arizona, call the Arizona truck accident attorneys at ELG. Truck accidents can inflict major damages and bodily harm, victims of Phoneix truck accidents must secure as much compensation as possible to pay for these damages.
Truck accidents can come in the form of:
- Rollovers
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride accidents
- Unsecured load accidents
- Mechanical malfunctions
- Tire blowouts
Speak to an Arizona Truck Accident Attorney Today
Don’t delay in connecting with the experienced Pheonix personal injury attorneys at ELG when you or a loved one has been injured in a large truck accident in Arizona. The Phoenix serious injury attorneys at ELG have an excellent reputation in the greater Phoenix area for providing the highest quality legal services to victims of injury accidents and wrongful death accidents. Call the Arizona personal injury attorneys to schedule your free consultation at (623) 877-3600. ELG also offers remote intake for your safety and convenience.
