The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, has recorded an increase in dump truck accidents severe enough to need towing from the site in recent years. According to the agency’s 2019 report, dump trucks were involved in 8% of all fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles and buses. Dump trucks were also involved in almost 6,000 accidents resulting in serious injuries in the same year.
If you have been injured in this type of accident, or have lost a loved one in a truck accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for help today.
Several variables combine to make dump trucks risky
One of the most serious risks is the truck’s end-dump stability. When the box is raised, the unit is activated. When the center of gravity of the box and the weight are not located between the frame rails of the unit, the danger of tipping increases dramatically.
Uneven load distribution raises the likelihood of a unit turning over. When someone packs the materials unevenly, the unit operates on uneven, soft ground or on a slope, and the load does not flow properly during dumping, the load becomes unequal. When materials fail to move out of the top portion of the box or do not flow out of one portion of the top side as they should, loads may not unload appropriately.
If the back wheels settle unevenly as the weight travels towards the back during dumping, the truck’s stability may be jeopardized. Various mechanical issues, such as poor rear suspension on one side of the vehicle, unequal tire pressure in the back wheels, worn or inadequate lifting system components, such as pins, and worn or inadequate lifting cylinders, can all impair a dump truck’s stability.
How to prevent tip-overs in dump trucks
Despite how risky operating a dump truck can be, there are various precautions that can be taken to avoid a tip-over. For safe operation and maintenance of dump trucks, the TDI recommends following the following key tips: maintain a healthy weight by adhering to weight-loss guidelines, make sure you’re using the correct truck for the job. Depending on the job’s requirements, project managers should assess whether a belly-dump semitrailer or an end-dump semitrailer is the best option, and if the vehicle is hauling goods that flow poorly, lighten the load.
Before dumping, make sure the truck is on level ground. Avoid squishy, uneven surfaces, never dump in close proximity to persons or other vehicles, before dumping, make sure the dump truck’s tailgate is unlocked and it’s on a flat area, establish and maintain a maintenance program. Inspections and preventative maintenance are the first line of defense in preventing tip-overs, and create and implement safety policies and procedures.
Have you been injured in a dump truck accident?
Employers and dump truck manufacturers both have a moral and legal responsibility to help keep people safe. To reduce unnecessary workplace accidents, employers must maintain nationally certified safety and health policies. However, if a person is injured on the job, he or she should file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is a sort of insurance that pays people who are injured on the job wage replacement and medical benefits. However, if a dump truck is involved in a workplace accident, the injured person may choose to pursue a claim against the vehicle manufacturer to recover additional damages.
If a dump truck is sold in an unsafe condition, due to either a manufacturing or design defect, and it causes an accident that results in injury to someone, the victim has the right to file a claim against the manufacturer, supplier, or distributor. You can contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for help today.
