What Caused Your Truck Accident?

Thursday, July 16, 2020

What Caused Your Truck Accident?

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), since 2009, there has been a 52 percent increase in truck accidents despite a decrease in overall vehicle accidents. Truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. However, many can be linked to driver negligence. If you were injured in a recent truck accident, you might be eligible to receive compensation for your damages. Experienced personal injury lawyers can work to determine the cause of your truck accident, which will reveal who is likely liable for your damages. 

Inherent Factors Leading to Truck Crashes 

The very nature and build of tractor-trailer trucks cause them to be more dangerous than the average vehicle on the road. It also causes truck accidents to be more severe when it comes to injuries and damage. Trucks are more likely to cause dangerous accidents because:

• They have a higher center of gravity
• Their loads can be uneven
• They require more distance to slow or stop
• Their equipment and parts are subject to extreme wear and tear
• They have large blind spots

Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

An investigation into the cause of your semi-truck accident is crucial. Without being able to determine a cause or a likely cause, your personal injury lawyers cannot hold the right parties liable for your damages. Depending on the cause of the accident, the truck driver, a different driver on the road, trucking company, owner of the truck, or the manufacturer or the vehicle or its parts could be liable. The most common causes of truck accidents include:

• An intoxicated driver
• A fatigued driver
• Inadequate driver training 
• Compensation that rewards faster vehicle speeds and more hours of consecutive vehicle operation 
• Lack of truck maintenance and repairs
• Failure to perform a safety inspection before getting on the road
• Speeding
• Poor road conditions
• Bad weather
• Cargo issues
• Idealistic schedules and expectations that encourage drivers to hurry

Injured in a Truck Accident? Hire Skilled Personal Injury Lawyers 

It is not uncommon for truck drivers, their employers, and their insurance companies to try to deny responsibility for an accident or offer a settlement for much less than a case is worth. In these circumstances, it is highly beneficial to have legal representation. In general, accident victims who are represented by an attorney receive higher settlements or jury awards than those who do not. 

You do not need to investigate or worry about the specifics of your accident. After a truck injury, your focus should be on your healing and obtaining aggressive legal representation. Your personal injury lawyers will work to determine as best as they can who caused your truck accident and who should be held liable for your damages. Once they make these determinations, they can pursue your injury claim either by settling with the liable party outside of court or by litigating your case. Call (312) 629-0099 or use our online contact form to book your free truck accident legal consultation with seasoned personal injury lawyers at Malman Law today.