Auto collisions involving semi-trucks are some of the most lethal, costly accidents that occur across the nation. The sheer size of these vehicles introduces an incomparable threat that hardly any other cars can stand up to, often resulting in permanent injuries to victims, and, at times, wrongful death. For these reasons, it is imperative that you remain vigilant on the road, especially when driving near a 14-wheeler. For the best chance at defending yourself on the road, you must recognize the most common causes of these incidents so you can effectively avoid them.
These causes are discussed below.
Causes Behind Truck Accidents
You must recognize that, although commercial truckers are operating much larger, significantly more dangerous vehicles than anyone else on the road, they are drivers just like you. This means that they are prone to mistakes and negligence like any other human being. Still, their responsibility is to recognize the unique risks of operating their vehicles and adjust their behaviors according to the circumstances. Unfortunately, not all truckers do so, often resulting in devastating consequences for both themselves and victims of their negligence.
Some of the most common causes of this negligence include:
- Error or recklessness. A truck driver may fail to examine the road before changing lanes, exceed the speed limit, or neglect to adjust their driving habits to winding roads and other such road conditions.
- Driving while under the influence. Commercial truckers are just as likely as anyone else to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Poor vehicle maintenance. This may not be the truck driver’s fault, but that of their employer or contracted mechanics. If the truck is not adequately maintained, specific components may fail to function properly, predisposing the vehicle to fail and increasing the crash risk.
- Improperly balanced cargo. Again, this may not be the direct fault of the driver, but the individual(s) responsible for loading the cargo onto the vehicle. When the weight on the trailer is not appropriately balanced, this may lead to cargo falling off the vehicle and onto the road, endangering other motorists.
At times, the accident cannot be attributed to the driver, their employer, or contracted workers at all. Instead, the manufacturer could be at fault for not having recognized design flaws or defects before distribution. Since the fault can be assigned to several different parties in the event of a truck accident, it’s best that you contact an accident lawyer to resolve your case.
Determining Fault for a Truck Accident
It’s tough to determine who will be held accountable for the damages and injuries inflicted upon you in your crash. As demonstrated by the reasons listed above, numerous parties play a role in the vehicle’s functionality and the trucker’s work in transporting goods between destinations. Your lawyer can assist you in assigning liability and requesting compensation from the appropriate parties, which may include:
- The driver
- The commercial trucking company
- The vehicle manufacturer
- Those responsible for the cargo loading
- Mechanics that may be contracted with the trucking company
To start your case and progress toward physical, emotional, and financial recovery, get in touch with an accident lawyer today.
If you and other party has been involved in an accident and unable to reach an agreement about who caused the accident or has been deemed responsible, you should suspect that it might lead to a court case where you would need to hire a truck accident lawyer. It would be in your best interest to hire a lawyer with adequate knowledge of truck accident laws.
