Factors That Cause a Trucking Accident
Accidents involving trucks can be caused by a variety of factors. These include driver errors cargo shifts, drug or alcohol use or vehicle defects, and more.
A truck accident is serious and requires the attention of an experienced legal team. Our truck accident lawyers in Las Vegas and Summerlin will help you navigate your case and help recover the compensation you deserve.
Driver Error
Truck drivers are responsible to ensure the safety of the roads but they can also make mistakes that can lead to an accident that could be fatal. These mistakes can include the speed of their vehicle stopping too abruptly or utilizing improper driving techniques.
A variety of factors can contribute to driver error and accidents, such as the failure of a trucking firm to properly train its drivers or to take safety measures. It could also occur when a vehicle malfunctions or a mechanical component fails to perform as it is supposed to.
Fatigue is a common driver's mistake that leads to truck accidents. Truckers are often pressured by their trucking companies to drive long distances even when they are sleepy. This can lead to truckers missing important traffic signs or hazards and misunderstand gaps. They also ignore signals that suggest a collision is imminent.
Drivers who are fatigued or sleepy can become distracted and fail to react to road conditions at the right time which can result in a catastrophic crash. These mistakes are typically avoidable when a driver is equipped with the proper equipment and rest. For those who have suffered injuries from truck accidents, a free consultation with an Oklahoma truck accident lawyer is available to find out more about your rights and options.
Cargo Shift
When a truck's cargo shifts during transportation, it can be difficult to control. This can lead to the driver losing control of the vehicle and possibly result in an accident.
Cargo shift accidents often occur because the cargo was not properly loaded or secured. When the cargo shifts the truck's center gravity changes which makes it more likely to rollover or hit another vehicle.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has developed a set of strict standards that must be adhered to when loading trucks. If the cargo of a vehicle does not meet these standards, the trucking or shipping company that loaded the load could be held responsible for any injuries or damages sustained in an accident.
Both truck drivers and shippers who employ them play an significant roles to play in loading cargo. Both parties should have the experience and training to recognize when a cargo is not secure or properly loaded.
The cargo loaded improperly could shift if the truck driver stops abruptly or turns too fast or curves too quickly. It could also shift when the driver is speeding or driving on roads that are rough.
A trucking collision caused by a shift in cargo can have devastating results. If the truck is flipped over or jackknifes it can cause serious injuries, or even death.
You should contact an attorney who specializes in trucking if you have been injured in an accident caused by shifting cargo. The attorneys at Schwartz Injury Law can help you determine who is responsible for your injuries and the damages.
Contact our offices to receive a free consultation with an attorney if you or someone you love has been injured in an accident on the road that was caused by cargo shifting. We're ready to fight for your rights and help you obtain the compensation you're due.
Alcohol or drugs are used to treat
You could be entitled to compensation if you were injured due to drinking or using drugs in a trucking collision. You could be awarded compensation for medical expenses, lost wages as well as pain and discomfort. You could also sue a negligent company that allowed a trucker to drive commercially-owned vehicles despite the results of a positive alcohol or drug test.
Drivers in the trucking industry often find themselves tempted to resort to drugs and alcohol to cope with the boredom, loneliness, and stress that comes with their job. Certain substances, like amphetamines and cocaine, can help them stay awake however, they also trigger side effects that can be dangerous for other drivers on the road.
bellevue truck accident lawyers or drug abuse can lead to a variety of accidents. This includes rear-end collisions head-on collisions, head-on collisions, as well as rollovers.
Alcohol or drug abuse isn't just dangerous for other drivers but can also result in fatal injuries and devastating injuries. For example, if you're driving on a highway with two lanes and a drunk driver drifts across the center line, they could slam into your vehicle and kill you immediately.
Jackknife is an additional common type of trucking accident. It happens when a drunken truck driver swerves, or changes lanes which causes their trailers to swing and strike the car ahead.
It is recommended that you consult a Bronx truck accident attorney in the event that you have been injured in an accident in the truck industry that was caused by alcohol or drug abuse. Call Oresky & Associates PLLC to learn more about your rights.
Vehicle Defect
Like passenger cars truck vehicles are more complicated which require a substantial amount of maintenance and inspections to ensure their safety on the road. Unfortunately, profit-driven trucking companies often minimize the inspections and repairs required and result in damaged components of vehicles that can lead to deadly accidents.
You may be able be able to hold the responsible party accountable for your losses if a defect in the vehicle or its component caused the accident. An experienced attorney will help you develop an argument that is based on your unique accident's circumstances.
Product liability claims that arise from incidents involving trucks typically contain design defects as well manufacturing and marketing issues. A design defect occurs when a business designs products that are inherently hazardous regardless of how it is manufactured or assembled. A manufacturing defect occurs if a part was not manufactured or installed in a way that was safe.
A marketing defect occurs the case when a company does not warn of a danger or makes false statements regarding safety. For instance, if a car's roof flattens in a rollover, it could be a marketing defect if the manufacturer did not inform the public that it could happen.
If you suspect that a defective component in your truck has caused the accident, contact an experienced Houston auto defect lawyer immediately. These cases can be complicated and require a team of experts as well as extensive investigation and legal representation to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Maintenance of the vehicle
While a trucking crash can be caused by any number of causes, including an error by the driver or shifting cargo however, certain accidents can be avoided through the routine maintenance of vehicles. Many drivers rely on regular maintenance to ensure their vehicles are in good working order and reduce the chance of accidents.
For example, regular inspections can prevent problems with steering and brakes. If a driver observes one of these systems are not working properly, he or should take the vehicle to an inspection right away.
Tires that are worn out or have defects are a common cause of trucking accidents. Tires are essential to a truck's ability to stop quickly and safely, making it essential that they be inspected on a regular basis.
Brakes are an essential safety feature for large rigs just like tires. Faulty brakes can lead to collisions with other vehicles and objects on the road.
All vehicles should be inspected and maintained regularly. This can lower the chance of a car accident and prevent injuries for occupants.
If you have been injured in a trucking crash, it is important to determine if a trucking firm neglected to maintain the vehicle which was involved in the crash. This can increase the likelihood of your case being successful.
You can hold the company that hauls your truck accountable for the damages you sustained for negligence in maintaining the vehicle. This could include medical bills or lost wages as well as expenses out of pocket.
A lawyer can help gain access to the records of the trucking company, and then review them for lapses in repairs or maintenance. They can also ensure that any evidence relating to the accident is protected. A judge or jury can require the trucking company to preserve any evidence if they try to destroy it.