When a big rig truck hits a passenger car, the results can be devastating. Due to how large commercial trucks are in size and weight, cars and their occupants tend to suffer the most injury and property damage in the event of a collision.
So why do truck accidents happen in the first place? There are many reasons and several parties that could share blame, including the truck driver, trucking company, a manufacturer, or other driver on the road. Those who have been injured in truck accidents may get help from a lawyer, like our friends at Temple Injury Law. A qualified attorney can help identify who is at-fault and should be held accountable for the losses that victims experienced.
Types of Trucks
When people think of truck accidents, they usually imagine big rigs or 18-wheeler trucks. When these types of trucks are fully loaded, they can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. Aside from big rigs, there are other kinds of trucks that can cause devastating accidents, including dump trucks, cement trucks, garbage trucks, tow trucks, flatbed trucks, delivery trucks, and tankers. Truck drivers are often found to be at fault for truck accidents. They may have been speeding, making unsafe lane changes, falling asleep behind the wheel, or violating state or federal regulations that oversee the trucking industry.
Liability in Truck Accidents
Those who are injured in a truck accident may be unsure who to sue for their medical bills, losses, and damages. Injuries often sustained in truck accidents include broken bones, traumatic head injury, spinal cord damage, sprains and strains, crushed extremities, burns and scarring, mental stress, and more. Figuring out who to file a lawsuit against in the aftermath of such a complicated incident can be confusing, which is why getting help from a truck accident lawyer is recommended. A legal team can investigate the accident more in-depth to uncover useful evidence and potential liable parties who may all share some degree of fault.
Contributing Factors
The most obvious contributing factor of truck accidents is truck driver recklessness. Truck drivers are put under immense pressure to drive for long periods of time, and they frequently go without much needed meal breaks and stops to sleep. A truck driver may also have been under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or stimulants. Distractions are something that a trucker may be affected by. Being away from family and friends for extended periods, truck drivers may be tempted to make phone calls, send texts, or check social media while driving.
Truck Maintenance
Another reason that truck accidents may happen is from poor vehicle maintenance and unbalanced or overloaded cargo. Worn tires and engine malfunctions can cause deadly consequences. The trucking company and its maintenance personnel are responsible for ensuring a truck is in proper working condition before a driver starts their route. Cargo that is overloaded or imbalanced may also contribute to a truck accident because the driver is unable to stop or maneuver safely out of the way of danger or changing road conditions.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision, don’t hesitate to seek assistance from a truck accident lawyer who can guide you through the legal process. Remember, a truck accident lawyer is your best ally when it comes to fighting for your rights and getting the compensation you deserve after such a distressing event.
Jeff Temple focuses his practice in the area of personal injury. As a skilled personal injury attorney, he handles a broad range of cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death. He is a graduate of the Radford University, he later attended the University of Miami School of Law and studied abroad at University College London. Upon graduating, Jeff relocated to Las Vegas and founded Temple Injury Law in 2022.