The Missoula area’s mountain passes on Interstate 90 might be scenic, but they’re also incredibly hazardous for big-rigs, especially when traveling down a steep incline. Truck brakes can fail, or a trailer can become uncoupled and detach. A gigantic piece of machinery that’s more than 70 feet long and weighing 80,000 pounds is suddenly out of control and incapable of slowing or stopping. It’s unlikely that smaller vehicles ahead of it are aware that a runaway truck and/or trailer might crash into them in just a few seconds. In turn, when they’re hit, they’ll probably lose control of their vehicles too. The scenario is beyond dangerous.
Preparation for the Descent
The driver of a big rig in the Missoula area’s mountain passes must be prepared for every descent before the truck reaches the top of the pass. That means slowing the truck to descent speed before the crest of the pass and starting out on the downward slope. That likely requires shifting the truck into first or second gear for purposes of transmission resistance and preventing the truck from traveling downhill at too high of a rate of speed. Brakes must be carefully used too, especially on curving declines. Truck drivers will want to prevent brake damage and failure. Even engine jake braking might be used. There will be warning signs ahead of descents so that truck drivers can prepare for them. On some descents, there will be runaway truck ramps too. These are usually a combination of gravel and sand inclines like off-ramps with hills that a truck driver can pull onto to stop a runaway truck.
When Snow Hits
Mountain snow storms call for safety skills so truck drivers can avoid driving too fast for weather conditions and crashing into the vehicle might be ahead of them. Maneuvering, skid control skills and good judgment will be at a premium. Truck drivers must slow down, even if it’s at a crawl. A safe distance from any vehicle ahead must always be maintained. They should also realize when it’s time to get off of the road too.
A runaway truck or a truck that’s otherwise out of control is ultrahazardous to anybody who might be next to it or in front of it. Injuries suffered by innocent victims can be severe or even fatal. If you were injured in a truck crash, or if you lost a family in one in or around Missoula, contact our truck accident lawyer at Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC, as soon as you can, and we’ll arrange for a free consultation and case review with our Missoula truck accident lawyer. You can tell us what happened and how it happened, and we can answer your questions. After that, we’ll advise you on the best way to proceed. No up-front money is needed to hire us, and we don’t get paid any legal fees at all if we don’t obtain a settlement or award for you. Once you hire us, our goal will be to professionally and aggressively pursue the best possible settlement or award that you deserve.
Contact Us Right Away
After you leave the hospital, contact us here at Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC, and we’ll be pleased to provide you with a free consultation and case review. Upon retaining us, our objective will be to obtain the maximum settlement or award that you deserve.
Speak confidentially with Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC. We want to help you. Remember that it’s our objective to maximize any proceeds that we obtain for you whether by settlement or an award.