(845) 802-0047Often times there is more to be seen than it appears in New York trucking accidents. This is because an 18 wheeler crash could be caused by more than just a truck driver running a red light or speeding, but by conduct that occurred even before either you or the truck driver got onto the roadway. One of the most common causes of commercial truck crashes is due to poorly planned routes which unnecessarily increase the risk of truck wrecks.
However, determining whether there were poorly planned routes which contributed to your New York trucking accident is a factor that is simply not observable when you look at an 18 wheeler accident scene. Even trained police investigators may miss this obviously negligent reason for a trucking accident crash because the police will be focused on braking distance, speed, and other factors related to the actual crash. But a victim of any New York trucking accident could be able to proof his or her case against a trucking company by demonstrating the trucking company set up the truck driver to fail with poorly planner routes.
Considerations by Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies to Avoid Poorly Planned Routes
When a trucking company establishes a delivery route for a truck driver, there are several considerations to comply with. First, legal considerations such as the size of the vehicle, the size of the cargo, and the type of the cargo may all impact where such commercial vehicle may travel, what permits are necessary, and whether the truck driver has the appropriate license to operate that commercial vehicle. Second, practical considerations must be taken into account, such as height restrictions due to low bridges or turning restrictions due to narrow roads.
Finally, considerations as to the reasonableness of the route must also be evaluated to assess whether the truck driver should proceed on certain roadways and through certain areas. This could be based on high traffic versus low traffic areas, routes through school zones or more difficult maneuvers by a truck to get to the delivery destination.
Examples of Poorly Planned Routes
There are several examples of poorly planned routes which could unnecessarily increase the risk of serious personal injury or wrongful death of innocent people. Some common examples which could cause New York trucking accidents include the following:
- Explosive or flammable materials (like gasoline) through high-population areas like cities or school zones where other reasonable routes exist;
- Routes through low-hanging bridges or trees with larger cargo;
- Bulkier cargo going through areas of high wind, such as the upper level of a bridge where there is a closed-in lower level;
- Routes with dangerous and repetitive left turns;
- Excessive use of roadways with two-lanes (one lane in each direction) when larger, multiple lane roads are available;
- Planned routes through rural and local roads with curvy roads that make it more dangerous to navigate; and
- Other unnecessarily increased difficulty, risks, or dangers in delivery routes.
New York Trucking Accidents Caused by Poorly Planned Routes
There are many possible ways that poorly planned routes could cause an 18 wheeler wreck. Some of the most common causes of New York trucking accidents due to poorly planned routes include the following:
- Jackknifed tractor-trailers;
- Rollover trucks;
- Cargo thrown off, cargo blown off, or cargo hit off the truck due to weather or low hanging bridges or trees;
- Wide turns;
- Left turn crashes rushed by a truck driver;
- Improper back up crashes;
- Collisions with parked vehicles or even buildings on narrow roads;
- Trucks leaving the roadway;
- Unsafe lane merges; and
- Many other causes.
Victims of Any New York Trucking Accident May Have a Claim Against a Trucking Company for Poorly Planned Routes
At first glance, a truck accident scene may indicate that a poorly planned route was the cause or contributing cause to an 18 wheeler wreck. Signs such as a fatigued truck driver, running a stop sign, or a dangerous left turn may appear to be the obvious reason for a big rig crash. But when a trucking company sets poorly planned routes, the trucking company may be unnecessarily increased the risk of serious box truck wrecks. Many times, an appropriate route could have steered a truck driver way from dangerous intersections. However, that may take slightly longer to make the delivery and the trucking industry is all about time-is-money and the longer it takes to make a delivery, the less money that a trucking company earns.
But this cutting of corners puts the rest of us all at risk for serious personal injuries. Truck drivers and trucking companies that put their bottom line ahead of our safety should be liable for poorly planned routes. If you or a loved one were seriously injured or a loved one was wrongfully killed in a box truck crash, ask our New York trucking accident lawyer to determine whether poorly planned routes were a cause or contributing factor to your injuries. We offer FREE case evaluations and can work with leading experts to protect your rights when a trucking company is not.