Collisions involving long-haul trucks and passenger vehicles are widespread in the United States. Each year, at least 5,000 truck accidents yield serious injuries or loss of lives and property. With many parties playing different roles in the trucking industry, it’s often difficult to pinpoint liability. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) points out driver negligence as the leading cause of these crashes in the U.S. Although that is often the case, drivers do not often assume direct liability in all accidents.
The Deer Park truck accident lawyers at Lone Star Injury Attorneys understand how traumatizing such experiences can be. Surviving a semi-truck crash leaves victims with serious injuries, and in some cases, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Stepping out on the road again becomes a challenge especially with the not-so-good flashbacks.
Families of those killed in these accidents also go through a very difficult time coming to terms with the demise of their loved one (s). Without the necessary support, this can be a breaking point. Because we care, our dedicated personal injury lawyers are here to get you the compensation you are entitled to.
A lot of work goes into assembling a truck to make it roadworthy. From there, a lot will go into loading, offloading, operating and maintaining them. There is a collaborative effort from all players in the truck industry to ensure their safety. But even with different rules in place to regulate this sector, truck accidents continue to cause untold amounts of damage. Our Deer Park lawyers examine the most common causes of these tractor-trailer crashes, and how you can protect yourself in case you are involved in one.
Truck drivers cover thousands of miles every day crisscrossing different regions. And due to tight deadlines and schedules, they sometimes don’t have enough time to rest, despite trucking regulations that require it. They work under a lot of pressure from their employers, leaving them with no time to get quality sleep. As a result, they end up losing focus, coordination, and concentration while on the road.
As mentioned earlier, truck drivers are often under a lot of pressure to reach their destinations within the shortest time possible. Their employers may not consider many factors such as road conditions and weather changes that ultimately cause heavy traffic snarl-ups. So to beat deadlines and keep their jobs, drivers put the pedal to the metal beyond the set speed limits. They may overtake others blindly without consideration of the danger to other road users.
In the course of their journeys, truck drivers often get tired and bored. So, to kill the boredom, they sometimes look for things to keep them attentive and occupied. This may include texting and use of cell phones as well as tuning their music systems. These forms of distracted driving can be catastrophic.
Because commercial trucks and tankers have a difficult maneuverability mechanism, truck drivers require specialized training. Unfortunately, not all drivers meet these requirements, therefore making them a safety concern not only for themselves but for other road users too.
Similarly, trucking companies and truck owners are required to see to it that their vehicles are in top-notch conditions before setting out on a journey. But to cut these costs and ensure that they have more time to make money, some fail to meet this legal requirement.
Some truck drivers have been found to be drunk driving or using non-medicinal and prescribed drugs while carrying out their duties. No matter how you look at it, the use of these substances impairs their judgment, making them prone to causing accidents. Prescribed drugs may also cause visual and physical impairment, so it’s prudent that truck drivers don’t use any of these drugs while on the road.
A lot of parties come into play when litigating a personal injury case involving a truck accident. Depending on the outcome of the investigations carried out by your attorney, you may sue the following parties in an 18-wheeler collision claim:
Regardless of how your truck accident occurred, you may have a claim if an act of negligence caused the crash. Our Deer Park truck accident lawyers know too well that insurance companies are not in the business of making maximum payouts. And for this reason, we won’t compromise when it comes to mounting an aggressive case on your behalf. Unfortunately, we can’t do this unless you talk to us. Our consultations are 100% free with no hidden charges.
