Five Truck Accident Lawyer Lessons From The Pros
Why Driver Error is the Biggest Cause of Trucking Accidents
Accidents that involve trucks can be catastrophic for anyone involved, which is why it's crucial to seek proper legal representation if you or a loved one has been injured in such an accident.
If you're interested in finding out more about your legal rights following a trucking accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. They can help you obtain the compensation you need for your injuries and medical expenses.
Driver Error
There are many elements that can lead to truck accidents but driver error is among the most frequent. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 87 percent of all accidents were the result of driver error.
This is one of the primary reasons it is crucial to seek legal representation when you are involved in a trucking accident. A lawyer with experience can help you obtain compensation for your injuries as well as other damages.
An attorney will begin by collecting evidence to determine the reason of your trucking accident. This could include reviewing the truck's maintenance history as well as obtaining an expert's opinion about the condition of the vehicle and even obtaining the logs of the trucking firm, which is required by law.
Another important aspect is determining whether the driver violated rules regarding hours of service. These laws regulate how long truck drivers can operate their truck and how long they may rest before they must return to work. If a driver exceeds FMCSA's limits, they may be held accountable for any damages they cause in an accident.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by fatigue. A trucker who is fatigued can cause him to be less responsive to an emergency and can lead to dangerous mistakes, such as speeding too much in bad weather conditions.
Driver distraction is another frequent reason for trucking accidents. Truck drivers are often distracted by eating, texting or just imagining their daydreams, while using GPS or other navigational devices, which could make it difficult for them to respond to emergencies.
Driver error can also be caused by improper loading or speeding up, fatigue, as well as other factors. If drivers are distracted and fatigued, they are more likely to be inattentive, misjudge gaps, ignore signs of impending dangers and may even freeze or panic in the event of a crash.
These errors can be made by anyone, but truck drivers are more likely to commit mistakes. This is because they are operating a large, powerful vehicle that requires more attention than smaller passenger vehicles. They are also under more pressure to deliver their cargo on time.
Improper Loading
Improper loading of trucks is a significant contributing factor to many truck accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry, setting the hours of service, ensuring trucks are in compliance with size and weight limits and instructing drivers on the proper methods for loading cargo safely.
Truck drivers frequently ignore these regulations in an effort to reach their destinations quicker and avoid paying fines. They also do not take the proper precautions to ensure their safety when driving.
Accidents resulting from collisions can be hazardous for both the victim and others. They may also cause injury or property injury to motorists on the same road as commercial trucks. Truck accidents can involve the rollover, jackknifing, or colliding with other vehicles.
Heavy loads can also cause problems with steering and braking. This is especially relevant if the load was not secured properly or moved.
You should seek medical attention if you are injured in an accident that involves a truck. You should also speak with an attorney who specializes in personal injury to determine who is responsible and what damages you are legally entitled to.
A truck that is overloaded can cause it to be unable to stop on time. This can lead to rear-end collisions or other traffic accidents. Overloading a truck can also affect its ability to drive, leading to jackknifing or loss of control.
These issues can be caused by weather conditions, such as rain or snow on the tie-downs that hold cargo. This can cause the bungee cords and ropes that are attached to the truck to break or slip and cargo can fall off the truck accident attorneys.
The cargo that is unsecure and falls off a truck could cause serious injuries and even death to people who are in its path. If you have been hurt in an accident with an improperly loaded truck, you must speak with a Massachusetts attorney who is familiar with the legal responsibilities of all parties who were involved in the incident.
If you have been hurt in an accident with the truck that was loaded improperly, it is recommended that you seek compensation for your injuries. Based on the specifics of your case, you might be entitled to monetary damages for medical bills and lost wages, as well as suffering and property damage.
Tire blowouts
In a trucking collision, an engine blowout could result in catastrophic injuries or death. It can also release debris that can hit other vehicles on the road and cause an accident.
Low air pressure, worn tires, negligent maintenance, or inspection of the truck could cause blowouts. In most cases, these incidents could have been avoided if the driver or trucking company followed standard procedures to prevent the possibility of a blowout.
Federal law requires truck drivers to take frequent breaks and maintain their vehicles in good working order. Truck drivers must inspect their trucks thoroughly and immediately report any problems. Trucking companies may hire contractors to inspect and repair trucks. If they fail to do so, it could be held responsible for any accidents that result from its negligence.
High speed driving is one major causes for trucking accidents that result in tire blowouts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that many truckers drive at speeds that are not safe that are allowed for commercial trucks that can wear out their tires and cause them to explode.
An attorney who is specialized in big rig accidents can assist you file a claim to compensation if injured in a trucking accident triggered by blowout. They can investigate your case and determine who was responsible for the accident.
It is also important to think about who was accountable for the tire blowing up. If the tire manufacturer made an unsafe tire, you could file a product liability claim against them.
A driver may lose control of their truck after an incident with a blowout tire, as the vehicle becomes unstable. This could lead to a rollover, or the jackknife crashing.
If a large truck or semi-truck blows out its tires, it can change the weight balance of the vehicle and alter its stability. This can cause the truck to slide over or cause serious injury.
It is important to remember that a tire blowout could happen at any time and at any point. It is important to remember that the trucking industry is governed by strict regulations. To avoid being involved in an accident, it's essential to follow all traffic laws and maintain your vehicle.
Squeeze-Type Accidents
As opposed to passenger vehicles commercial trucks like semi trucks, 18 wheelers and tractor trailers require specific maneuvering on the road due to their size and weight. These vehicles have to be able to negotiate turns with safety and avoid rolling over which is a major issue for truck accident lawsuits drivers.
Squeeze play accidents happen when a passenger vehicle is stuck between a massive truck, tractor trailer, or truck accidents a wall. This can happen when the vehicle is trying to pass a big truck's driver in a turning. This can cause serious injuries and property damage - especially for smaller vehicles.
The biggest way to prevent this kind of accident is to allow trucks plenty of room to move. It is also important to pay attention to the signals of truck drivers and ensure that they are not turning to the right which could cause squeeze play accidents.
Another reason to be cautious around big rigs is the large cabs of these vehicles are tall, making it hard for other drivers to be able to see them in their blind spots. When this happens, a driver might make a mistake and try to go around a large rig to the left, even although it appears the truck is turning right.
This could result in a sideswipe collision, where the vehicle in front of the truck hits the side of the big rig. The truck is then forced to turn into different lanes, which can cause multi-vehicle pileups as well as further damage to the truck, occupants of both vehicles and any other motorists.
A personal injury lawyer who has experience handling these cases is a good choice if you have been injured in the course of a trucking accident as a result of an incident of a squeeze play. They will assess your case and determine if the truck driver was accountable for the accident, and assist you in filing claims for compensation.