Raleigh Cargo Body Type Crash Report
North Carolina Crash Report Form DMV-349 (Section 45) focuses on whether one or more vehicles involved in the crash had a cargo body. This includes buses, trucks, vans, and other types of cargo transport vehicles. It is also known as a Raleigh cargo body type crash report.
Although accidents can happen, there is no excuse for negligent driving or negligence in any aspect of moving goods and materials around the country alongside much smaller passenger vehicles. For answers to your questions about liability and cargo body type crash reports reach out to a truck accident lawyer in Raleigh today.
Cargo Body Type (Section 45)
This section has 13 categories of cargo body type that a vehicle can fall into. They include:
- Concrete mixer
- Log truck
- A bus that seats 16 or more including the driver
- Flatbed
- Cargo tank
- A bus that seats less than 16 including driver
- Van or enclosed box
- Gravel/grain/chips truck
- Dump
- Autotransporter
- Refuse/garbage truck
- Pole truck
- Other
Driver-Related Causes of Commercial Truck Crashes
A survey conducted by the FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that overworked and fatigued workers are the main causes of commercial truck accidents. Tragically, these types of accidents often lead to grievous injuries and fatalities.
The survey that was conducted over 33 months found that across the nation, nearly 12,000 accidents with injuries and fatalities saw the involvement of at least one big commercial truck. Driver error was the most common crucial factor that caused the accidents. The most common examples of driver fault are:
- Negligence – the driver fell asleep, suffered a heart attack or seizure, or was physically disabled in some other way
- Distraction – the driver did not pay sufficient attention, was distracted by something outside or inside the vehicle, or was unable to assess the situation appropriately
- Poor judgment – the driver was speeding, failed to judge the speed of other vehicles, or was tailgating
- Lack of capacity – the driver gave in to panic, overcompensated, or showed poor directional control
Driver Fatigue
A fatigued driver or one who falls asleep at the wheel poses an extreme risk and can also cause a crash. In reality, it is the unreasonable schedules followed by truck drivers and the expectations of trucking companies that are the true culprits. Extremely tight schedules and unrealistic goals can lead drivers to speed and ignore the potential risks involved. This is a factor that may also be taken into consideration in Raleigh cargo body type crash reports.
Understanding Cargo Body Type Crash Reports in Raleigh
To begin protecting your rights, it is important to understand your accident report. An attorney can review your Raleigh cargo body type crash report with you to help you better understand your crash.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a truck accident or an accident with another cargo carrier due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to claim compensation for damages and losses. Consult an accomplished cargo carrier accident lawyer in Raleigh who will fight to protect your rights.
