Accidents involving trucks are much more likely to cause severe injuries and even death than accidents between automobiles. In most truck accidents with a car, it’s the car driver who gets hurt the most. Some of the reasons for truck accidents are because of the truck. Other reasons are because of the truck driver. Still others involve the companies that contract for the load to be shipped, the truck owner or other businesses. Here’s a rundown of some of the top factors for truck accidents.
Truck Dangers
- Wide turns – trucks turn differently than cars. Cars near turning trucks are often damaged.
- Equipment failure – because trucks log such long miles, their parts break down more often. Trucks need to be inspected regularly.
- Failure to comply with truck regulations – trucks need to comply with length, weight and many other regulations that are designed to keep the public safe.
- Falling debris – Trucks carry all sorts of products. When the truck gets into accidents, the products can fall onto the road causing immediate dangers to other cars on the road. The products may fall directly onto other cars.
Truck Drivers
Though most truck drivers are required to get a Commercial Driver’s License to operate a truck, that doesn’t guarantee they’ll drive their truck correctly. Many truck driving accidents because of:
- Driver Fatigue – truck drivers have long hours. They are required to keep a schedule of their time and to take proper rest and sleep breaks.
- Driver Error – not knowing the proper routes
- Driver Speed – trying to meet the demands of the shipper or get to the destination too fast.
- Driver Intoxication – drunk driving kills
- Driver Distraction – such as texting while driving
- Improper driver training
Other Responsible Parties
- The owner of the truck – the owner of the truck may be responsible just because it is owners have a duty to their truck drivers. Owners may be responsible because they gave the driver a bad truck or bad training.
- The shipping parties – the party that wants the load and the party that provides the load may be at fault if they make unreasonable demands on the truck driver or if they don’t properly explain the dangers if the load isn’t properly handled.
- Manufacturers – steering wheels, brakes and other truck equipment should be designed for the long haul. If truck parts don’t work properly, the designer can be held accountable
- Government – the government may have fault if a road was improperly designed to handle truck traffic.
How a skilled truck accident lawyer can help.
- There are federal laws such as rules set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that your lawyer should know. There are state laws also.
- The trucking industry has common ways that they prepare for and arrange for shipments. Your lawyer needs to know how the trucking industry works.
- Your lawyer needs to know ALL the parties that may be responsible for the accident.
- Your lawyer need to know why truck accidents happen so they and their experts can prove someone else was at fault (responsible) for the accident.
How our firm can help.
If anyone you know has suffered or been killed because of a truck accident, let our law firm help you get the recovery you deserve. During this difficult time we will help you receive the maximum compensation allowed by law and we will assist you through every step of the case. Our team of lawyers works with medical professionals, valuation experts, technical experts and other lawyers. If you or a loved one suffered an injury or a death please call us at 1-888-WE-MEAN-IT (1-888-936-3264) or email us at: [email protected].
