Trucking Accidents Resulting from Negligence

Because of their larger size, trucks that are involved in accidents with passenger vehicles are likely to cause serious damage to the vehicle or vehicles that they impact. Injuries obtained in a trucking accident can be catastrophic, requiring years for the victim to recover, and in some cases, the injuries may lead to death.

Trucking accidents in which negligence is a factor can lead to lawsuits. Some reasons that may be at the root of a truck accident include the following:

• Speeding — While speeding is a problem in all types of vehicle accidents, it can be a greater accident risk for truckers than for other passenger vehicle drivers. Trucks that speed take much longer to slow, are unwieldy and can easily go into a rollover.
• Taking prescription drugs or other drugs or substances — Using drugs or alcohol can impair driving ability.
• Driver fatigue — Many truckers fail to take mandated rest breaks. Whether because they are pressured to meet a deadline, or to get home early, the failure to take a rest break can lead to an accident caused by drowsy driving.
• Distracted driving — Failing to focus on the road ahead leads to accidents. Texting, using a cellphone, attempting to program a GPS or changing the radio all can be enough of a distraction to result in a crash.
• Aggressive driving — Road rage and other negative states of mind can lead drivers to drive recklessly.
• Cargo shift or securement — Unbalanced or unsecured cargo can shift and cause a rollover or a truck’s contents to spill.
• Poor maintenance — Accidents that occur because brakes fail or are out of adjustment or because of defective tires may be avoided with proper safety inspections.

Those injured in trucking accidents resulting from negligence should speak with an experienced attorney at Fazio, Disalvo & Abers as soon as possible to preserve evidence and learn about options for filing a lawsuit.

By Jeff S. Abers | Published February 23, 2015 | Posted in Personal Injury | Tagged driver negligence, lawsuit, trucking accidents | Leave a comment