Causes of Trucking Accidents
The Taylor Law Firm
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Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
More often than not, tractor trailer wrecks stem from violations of state and federal law. In many instances, trucking companies ignore regulations and safety standards in an effort to cut corners intended to improve delivery time or reduce cost-overhead. Below, we provide a general description of the kinds of truck accidents our office investigates when demanding compensation for our clients.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is one of the most frequent causes of trucking accidents. There are laws regulating the amount of time a drive can be on the road.
While most drivers obey these laws, some violate the law by purposely under-reporting drive time in their log books. Other drivers, while technically obeying the law, use "down time" to load or unload their truck. As a result, these drivers are often already tired when they get behind the wheel to deliver their load.
Truck Driver Recklessness
Truck drivers sometimes, in an effort to meet deadlines and maintain trucking schedules, speed or otherwise drive recklessly. A 40,000 pound truck cannot stop nearly as fast as a 4,000 pound car. Thus a speeding truck is extremely dangerous.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can investigate whether the driver was properly, and legally, performing their job. Contact West Virginia tractor trailer accident lawyer, Shawn Taylor, to schedule a free confidential consultation to discuss your accident.
Improper Inspection
Vehicle parts failure or inadequate inspection is another frequent cause of trucking accidents. The owner of a truck cab is responsible for ensuring a truck is in proper working order, including the lights, brakes, and tires. When tire blowouts, jack-knifes, or rear end collisions occur, our truck accident attorneys work with inspectors and mechanics to determine whether improper maintenance was a factor in causing an accident.
Improper Load
Improper loading of a tractor trailer is another common cause of a trucking accident. An improper load can cause a truck to roll over when the load shifts during a turn or a quick maneuver in an attempt to avoid a collision.
Defective Roadways
Improper highway design or road maintenance is another common cause of trucking accidents. Where poorly graded banks and inclines, obstructed signage, poor drainage, or sudden shoulder drop-off are at issue, our office consults civil engineers, surveyors, and design experts in identifying negligence on the part of government agency and municipalities.
Injuries and Recovery
Due to the sheer size of trucks and the force of impact exerted by them, severe head trauma and spinal cord injuries are common. As a result of brain damage and back injury, many truck accident victims face quadriplegia, paraplegia, chronic pain, and cognitive impairment. At the Taylor Law Firm, our truck accident lawyers work with medical experts, healthcare planners, and economic impact analysts to determine the financial impact of your injuries. We inventory medical treatment expenses, the cost of medical equipment and prescription drugs, in-home nursing care, and loss earnings. If necessary, we create a day-in-the-life video so jurors can see the day-to-day struggles of our client and the impact of their injuries.
Because different potential parties may be liable in each of these causes of trucking accidents, you need to contact an experienced truck accident attorney to ensure you receive proper representation in your truck accident case. The confidential consultation is free.
