Each year, there are hundreds of thousands of truck accidents in the United States. Many of these accidents can cause severe injuries because tractor-trailers are much larger than passenger cars. Everything needs to go right for a truck driver to stay safe, but they are dealing with difficult job conditions and a trucking company that is not always committed to your safety.
If you have suffered an injury in a truck accident, you may have the right to financial compensation for your injuries. First, you will need to file a truck accident claim or lawsuit. To do so effectively, you will need the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer to fight for your legal rights and work to secure you the most possible compensation for your injuries.
Here are some causes of truck accidents.
Fatigued Driving
Fatigued driving is about more than just not having enough sleep before getting behind the wheel. Truck drivers can be on the road late at night when their body rhythms may be abnormal. Or, they may not have rested enough before their shift to drive the truck properly.
Fatigue can cause a truck driver to make poor decisions by dulling reflexes and increasing the chance that they fall asleep behind the wheel. Fatigued driving can lead to serious accidents that cause severe injuries and fatalities.
Distracted Driving
Truck drivers may try to multitask behind the wheel to avoid pulling over and taking a break. Thus, they may try to eat, handle tasks, and even use their mobile device to send text messages or search the internet.
Driving a truck is highly demanding and requires the driver’s full attention, and even a brief second of inattention raises the risk of an accident. Distracted driving accidents are often more severe because the truck driver takes no evasive action before the crash to minimize the potential damage.
Speeding
Truck drivers are under tremendous pressure to reach their destinations on time. The trucking company wants to avoid angering its customers, and the truck driver is the one who must meet any delivery deadline. Truck drivers are only allowed a limited shift, so they must maximize the distance they travel during this time. The truck driver may choose to speed to reach the destination more quickly.
Speeding may cause a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle. Since it takes a truck a long time to come to a complete stop, speeding may increase the chances of a rear-end or rollover accident.
Improper Cargo Loading
Fully loaded tractor-trailers may weigh 80,000 pounds. Even when the trucking company follows that rule, how the cargo is loaded can increase the risk of an accident. The loader must tie the cargo down securely and distribute the weight evenly. If the center of gravity shifts, the truck can roll over and cause a serious accident. Either the trucking company or a third-party cargo loader may be to blame for this accident.
Driver Inexperience
Trucking companies are dealing with a shortage of drivers that often keeps them from making as many deliveries as they want. At any given time, the shortage of truck drivers can be as high as 100,000 throughout the country. Older and more experienced truck drivers are retiring because of age or because they can no longer take life on the road.
Trucking companies often want to avoid paying the prevailing income for more experienced truck drivers. A recent law allows truck drivers as young as 18 to make cross-country trips. Thus, trucking companies may opt for newer, less experienced drivers who are more risky behind the wheel.
Lack of Maintenance
Federal regulations require that a trucking company only put trucks on the road that are in good repair and roadworthy. However, trucking companies are known for cutting corners in any way to maximize their profits. Truck parts can be costly; even a single tire can cost up to $1,000 to replace. It costs trucking companies money whenever they must pull a truck off the road for maintenance because it cannot make deliveries.
Everything must go right for the truck to reach its destination on time. Even the most experienced truck drivers may be unable to maneuver themselves out of trouble when there is a severe maintenance issue.
Defective Truck Parts
The trucking company and the truck driver may not have done anything wrong in the events surrounding your accident. It may have been the truck itself that was the problem. Trucks are complex machines that run using thousands of individual parts, and the brakes, steering, and transmission are critical.
If a truck part is defective, you can file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer or anyone who participated in the sale of the truck. If you win your case, product liability lawsuits can lead to a significant award or settlement.
Hire a Lawyer After a Truck Accident
You should hire a truck accident lawyer right after the crash. Your legal rights are at risk the more time passes without you retaining a truck accident attorney. An experienced truck accident lawyer can perform a complete investigation of the accident to determine the cause and will then gather evidence to file a lawsuit on your behalf. In some cases, there may be more than one at-fault party, and your lawyer will file a lawsuit against anyone responsible to get the highest possible compensation.
Navigating the legal process after a truck accident can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with insurance companies and their aggressive tactics. An experienced lawyer can level the playing field and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. They will handle all the legal paperwork, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, represent you in court.
Hiring a trusted personal injury attorney immediately is crucial to protect your rights, gather evidence, and guide you through the legal process. Do not take on the burden alone. Let a skilled lawyer help you through this challenging time and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.