The five most common I-95 road hazards are truck blowouts, fatigued truck drivers, spilled truck cargo, speeding trucks, and construction. For those who travel on I-95, it is not uncommon to see road hazards that put you at risk for injury.
Understanding the risk of these hazards can help you know what to do if you are involved in an accident, including calling a Charlottesville truck accident lawyer.
1. Truck Blow Outs
Trucks and other vehicles on I-95 are moving at a high rate of speed, and they are often moving in and out of traffic consistently. This can create a higher risk of tire blowouts and failures. Trucks, in particular, are at risk for this because of the amount of weight they haul back and forth.
In situations where the truck’s tire blows out or one goes flat, it is very common for truckers to lose control over the vehicle, which causes jackknifing (that V shape between the tractor and trailer). This can lead to the tractor-trailer tumbling over or otherwise becoming a hazard on the roadway itself.
Tire blowouts are often very common but also very avoidable. Though there is sensor technology on truck tires to minimize the risk of the unknown, there are often situations where truck drivers and maintenance teams do not take action properly to ensure vehicles are operating as they should. Without routine inspections of tires – including a visual inspection before each ride, the truck driver, truck owner, or third party can be held accountable for your injuries.
A similar type of case involves “wheel-off” claims where a wheel and tire come off a moving tractor or trailer and impact traffic in adjacent or oncoming claims. These scenarios can involve horrific injuries or even death. We have experience handling all of these claims and can help.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
2. Tired Truck Drivers
One of the most common road hazards on I-95 with you is the tired truck driver. Many of the truck drivers operating along I-95, traveling the nearly 180 miles of it in Virginia, often face a long trip. When a truck driver, who is carrying an 80,000-pound load, dozes off or just cannot focus on the roadway, the risk of a serious accident is very high.
Because I-95 runs from north to south in Virginia, and it is such an important main route through the cities of Richmond, Petersburg, Washington, D.C., and other Northern Virginia localities, there are often dozens of trucks along these roads every hour. When you are sharing the road with them, and a tired driver is unable to react to changing road conditions, the risk of serious and life-threatening injuries is very high.
Truck drivers have to follow the federal Hours of Service laws, which dictate that drivers need to have a break throughout long drives. This is documented and logged by the US Department of Transportation or its affiliates. When a truck driver is tired, it becomes very hard for them to control the vehicle. That puts you at risk. Call our Charlottesville personal injury lawyer today.
3. Spilled Cargo
Another common hazard on I-95 may be the contents of the trucks that are hauling materials from one area to the next. Semi trucks traveling down this route can carry as much as 80,000 pounds of product and gear, and many times they are pushing that level. Should the driver lose control, that cargo could spill onto the roadway.
Cargo loss happens for various reasons. Some of the most common reasons include inexperienced drivers, sharp turns that are not executed properly, improper cargo loading, and speeding drivers. If the cargo company did not properly load and secure the cargo in the back of the truck, they could be responsible for any spill that occurs. Just one component of the cargo coming loose can create a hazard on the roads.
Sometimes cargo actually spills on the roadway and requires environmental cleanups. Other times, the cargo in a truck may shift but not actually spill out of the truck. This can still cause the driver to lose control due to the uneven and unbalanced load.
4. Fast-moving Trucks and Larger Vehicles
The speed limit on I-95 in Virginia is typically 70 miles per hour. When a large vehicle, especially a truck, is moving at a fast rate of speed, carrying thousands of pounds of materials, the risk for a serious accident is very high. These trucks that are speeding down the road are a hazard themselves.
Speeding trucks, rideshare drivers, or other parties may be difficult for even skilled drivers to stop. When road conditions change, such as an animal entering the roadway or another driver cutting the truck off, it becomes impossible for truckers to stop or move out of the way. This creates a very high risk of serious injuries.
More so, speeding vehicles, including trucks, large cargo vehicles, and even pickup trucks, create incredible force when they strike someone or something. This can lead to serious injury in some cases, the loss of life. Speeding is yet another common I-95 road hazard.
5. Common I-95 Road Hazard: Construction on the Roadway
Construction seems to always be happening along I-95. While it is a necessary part of maintaining freeways to keep drivers safe, there are often mistakes that can put others at risk for serious injury. Construction changes the way truckers are used to navigating through the area, and in some cases, they may not have enough time to make adjustments.
Construction zones are clearly marked for all to see. When a driver is unable to meet the requirements of the interchange and sudden stop, that creates an even more devastating injury, leading to a common I-95 road hazard.
Construction sites can be more complicated to navigate, congested, and have limited free space, and even have dangerous potholes and debris in the roadway itself. While that pothole or the uneven surfaces are certainly worrisome, sometimes it is the construction itself that puts others at risk. Review our FAQs to learn more today.
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Seeking Legal Guidance Can Help You After an Accident with a Common I-95 Road Hazard
If you are in an accident on I-95 for any reason, seek medical care and then contact a local car and truck accident lawyer with ample experience navigating I-95 in all types of traffic.
You may find that an attorney can help you demonstrate who is at fault based on the type of road hazard present, the implications to health and well-being, and the level and type of negligence involved. Call MartinWren, P.C., today for a free consultation.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
