Written by Parnall Law Firm reviewed by Bert Parnall
Deadheading is a common practice in trucking where a semi-truck driver carries an attached trailer with no weight. It mainly occurs when the truck driver returns to the point of origin with an empty trailer.
Deadheading is often used as a basis for transport strategies to optimize transport efficiency. Transport companies find ways to discourage deadheading because it leads to loss of income. Some logistics companies do not pay for deadheading, while others pay for mileage after a specific distance, e.g., 100 miles.
Most drivers also avoid deadheading to optimize their earnings. Deadheading contributes to an increased risk of accidents because an empty trailer compromises the stability of a truck.
Consult a trusted truck accident attorney in New Mexico to learn how you can protect your rights as an injured victim.
What Is Deadhead in Trucking: Backhaul vs. Headhaul
There is a difference between backhaul and headhaul. Headhaul involves a driver operating a truck with a load heading to its destination. On the other hand, backhaul refers to a return trip over the same route.
Suppose a truck driver is transporting cargo from the New Mexico border to Colorado. In that case, the head haul would be from the New Mexico border to Colorado, with the backhaul being the return trip from Colorado to New Mexico.
Backhaul is an excellent alternative to minimize instances of deadheading. When a driver fulfills a heal haul to a destination, they may deadhead from the drop-off point to the next point of picking up the load.
Finding a deal for backhaul means a driver will make some revenue on the return trip. Backhaul is an excellent revenue-optimizing strategy for shippers who operate on low rates. Usually, backhaul involves carrying return cargo at a negotiated rate to minimize losses associated with deadheading.
In the trucking world, there is a term called DH-D, or Deadhead destination, which is the maximum distance a driver is willing to travel beyond their intended destination, for instance, 100 miles within the radius of the destination.
The extra miles allow the driver to deadhead from where they delivered the load to another pick-up point. Alternatively, the driver can look for loads within their point of origin by setting a desired radius of picking up the cargo.
The deadhead destination gives drivers more control over how many miles they are deadheading between cargo loads.
Why Is Deadhead Trucking Dangerous?
Here are the well-known risks of deadhead trucking:
- Increased Crash Risk: Due to weight differences, deadhead trucks are more likely to crash than loaded trucks. When an 18-wheeler semi-truck is empty, it carries less weight, which reduces its stability, particularly in harsh conditions like storms or icy roads. Consequently, the empty trailers may sway easily, increasing the risk of rollovers or loss of control.
- Longer Stopping Distance: Empty trailers have less traction on the road than loaded trailers, contributing to a longer stopping distance. If the driver cannot stop on time, a rear-end collision can occur in a situation that requires sudden braking.
- Increased Risk of Jackknifing: Jackknifing occurs due to losing control when the trailer swings to one side of the truck cab. Empty trailers are more prone to jackknifing because there is less weight to keep them aligned with the truck cab, mostly when changing lanes or making turns.
- Vulnerability to Strong Winds: A fully loaded trailer has proper stability, making it harder to drift. On the other hand, empty trailers have a larger surface area and are more susceptible to being pushed by strong winds, which makes it harder for drivers to maintain control.
- Potential for Speeding: Drivers operating an empty truck fall are also prone to speeding, ignoring the potential risk of accidents. Speeding while hauling an empty trailer increases the risk of accidents, particularly when drivers encounter unexpected hazards or poor road conditions. Operating an empty trailer between deliveries may encourage a driver to speed, increasing the crash risk.
- Inadequate Experience: Most truck drivers have adequate skills in handling a fully loaded trailer, not deadheading. As such, they may lack the awareness to anticipate a longer braking distance of an empty trailer, increasing the risk of accidents.
How Can Truckers Limit Deadheading?
Truckers who don’t receive deadhead mile pay must do more to avoid the losses associated with empty trailers.
Truckers can minimize deadheading and resulting truck crashes by applying the following strategies:
- Planning trips in advance.
- Perform a cost-benefit analysis of a trucking job that doesn’t include deadhead mileage.
- Use load boards to find available freight on a specific route.
- Look for jobs requiring return materials, particularly during winter months.
Injured in a Deadheading Crash? Get in Touch With a Truck Accident Attorney
Your quality of life and financial security can worsen due to injury-related losses like medical expenses, lost income, and out-of-pocket costs. You deserve compensation from the negligent driver or trucking company in your case. An experienced truck injury attorney can prove the extent of your injuries and pursue a fair settlement value that matches your losses.
Parnall Law is a team of highly experienced truck accident attorneys with a proven track record representing truck accident victims. Contact us online or at (505) 268-6500 for a free consultation.
