The agricultural and livestock industries rely heavily on 18-wheelers to transport crops, feed, and livestock across rural highways and major roadways. While these trucks are essential to the industry, they also pose serious risks to other drivers. Accidents involving 18-wheelers near agricultural and livestock operations can be especially severe due to the size and weight of these vehicles, as well as the unique hazards associated with farming and livestock transport.
Why Are Agricultural and Livestock Transport Trucks High-Risk?
Several factors contribute to the high risk of crashes involving 18-wheelers in agricultural areas:
- Rural Road Conditions: Many farms and livestock operations are located on or near rural roads that are narrow, poorly maintained, or lack adequate signage.
- Heavy and Unstable Loads: Trucks carrying livestock or agricultural products can have shifting loads, increasing the likelihood of rollovers or loss of control.
- Slow-Moving Equipment: Agricultural operations often involve slow-moving machinery on roadways, which can lead to rear-end collisions with fast-moving trucks.
- Livestock Transport Hazards: Animals in transit can shift weight suddenly, causing trailers to become unstable. In the event of a crash, loose livestock on highways can create additional dangers for motorists.
- Driver Fatigue: Long hauls and demanding schedules can lead to truck drivers experiencing exhaustion, reducing their ability to react quickly to changing road conditions.
- Weather Conditions: Many agricultural regions experience high winds, dust storms, and sudden weather changes, reducing visibility and making roads more dangerous for large trucks.
Common Causes of Accidents Involving 18-Wheelers in Agricultural Areas
Some of the leading causes of accidents involving trucks transporting agricultural and livestock goods include:
- Jackknife Accidents: Due to the instability of trailers carrying shifting loads, sudden braking or poor road conditions can lead to jackknifing.
- Rollover Crashes: Top-heavy loads, such as stacked hay bales or cattle, can increase the likelihood of rollovers when trucks take turns too quickly.
- Collisions with Farm Equipment: Slow-moving tractors, combines, and other machinery on highways create a risk for fast-moving trucks that may not be able to stop in time.
- Spilled Cargo: Accidents involving livestock trailers or grain trucks can create major road hazards if cargo spills onto highways, leading to multi-vehicle collisions.
Legal Considerations in Agricultural and Livestock Trucking Accidents
Accidents involving 18-wheelers in agricultural areas often require detailed investigations to determine liability. Possible legal issues include:
- Trucking Company Liability: If the truck driver was fatigued, improperly trained, or operating an overloaded truck, the trucking company could be held accountable.
- Farm or Livestock Operation Responsibility: If improper loading or maintenance contributed to the crash, the farm or livestock operation could share liability.
- Negligence Claims: Drivers, trucking companies, and farm operators can all be held liable if negligence played a role in an accident.
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits: If a fatality occurs due to an 18-wheeler accident, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.
How Spagnoletti Law Firm Can Help
At Spagnoletti Law Firm, we are here to assist if you or a loved one was involved in a 18-wheeler accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a truck transporting livestock or farm products, we can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at 713-804-9306 for a free consultation. We are committed to holding negligent parties accountable and helping accident victims recover.