Truck accidents often result from human error, and it is possible to receive compensation if you were involved in one. While it is difficult to determine who was at fault for causing the accident, there are many factors that can contribute to truck accidents, including human error. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are involved in a big rig accident. Hiring a truck accident attorney can help protect your rights.
Compensation for victims of a truck accident
Injuries and deaths from truck accidents are often catastrophic and life-altering. It’s important to determine how much money you will need to pay for medical treatment after the accident. In addition to financial damages, you may also be able to recover pain and suffering that results from the accident. While money can’t replace a lost loved one, you can obtain compensation for these expenses. You can file a claim for compensation if a truck driver is partly at fault.
Because truck accidents are incredibly dangerous, it is essential to maximize the amount of money you receive in compensation for your injuries. You may be tempted to simply walk away from a truck accident, but it’s important to understand your legal options. Even if you’ve been able to minimize your injuries and damages, it doesn’t mean you have to give up. By pursuing compensation for truck accident injuries, you can recover the money you need for medical bills and lost wages.
Although many truck drivers are common law employees, trucking companies and drivers are not immune from liability. The truck driver’s insurance company can be sued if the driver is negligent. If more than one party was at fault for the accident, however, the law will consider contributory negligence and will reduce the amount of compensation that you receive. In New York, anyone who is at least partly responsible for the accident can be liable for damages. In such a case, you can seek compensation from everyone else, including the insurance company and truck driver.
In addition to medical bills and lost income, you can also seek compensation for the traumatic consequences of your trucking accident. Serious injuries may prevent you from engaging in your favorite activities or pastimes. You deserve to be compensated for these expenses, as they may affect your life in ways you cannot imagine. If you suffer severe injuries, you may also have to face the burden of debt collectors, which could affect your finances for years to come.
Common causes of truck accidents
There are several common causes of truck accidents, including negligent driving. Many truck accidents occur because drivers fail to maintain a commercial driver’s license or are inexperienced and have little or no training. Regardless of the cause, truck accidents are often the result of driver negligence, and Alabama law allows the victims of these accidents to seek compensation through personal injury lawsuits. These types of accidents can happen at any time, and are especially dangerous at night or in poor weather conditions.
In large truck crashes, the driver is often at fault, either through a lack of rest or fatigue. Many drivers, particularly those on the road for extended hours, don’t take adequate rest. Fatigue can cause misjudgments and errors in judgment, which are known causes of truck crashes. Another common cause is aggressive driving, especially when trucks are speeding or merging into traffic. Poor vehicle maintenance can also lead to devastating truck accidents.
In addition to faulty repairs, another common cause of truck accidents is distracted driving. Truck drivers need to pay attention to the road and log their activities. Failure to do so could cause accidents and cause fatalities. Keeping a log book of truck maintenance is also critical to preventing these types of accidents. Distracted driving can also lead to accidents and distracted drivers. This is especially true for those who are distracted by their mobile phone or tablet.
Improper cargo loading can also cause a truck to tip over, either causing the cargo to fall or tip over entirely. Properly loading cargo is also a common cause of truck accidents. Whether the cargo is loaded by a driver or by a third-party cargo loader, drivers must ensure that it is properly secured. In some cases, drivers are liable for the damages that result from their negligence. But even if they were at fault, there are still numerous common causes of truck accidents that happen.
While the majority of truck accidents occur due to driver error, truck companies are also to blame. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), truck-related accidents killed almost 5,000 people in 2017. Of these deaths, seventy-two percent were the victims of other vehicles. Thankfully, road authorities have taken steps to reduce truck fatalities, but the number of such accidents continues to rise. The number of fatal crashes caused by large trucks increased by 10 percent in 2017 alone, despite efforts to curb truck accidents.
Human error as a factor in big rig accidents
Several factors may contribute to truck accidents, including driver fatigue and alcohol use. Other factors can increase the risk of a crash, such as poor road design or weather conditions. Ultimately, failure to follow traffic laws can lead to a personal injury lawsuit. In addition to driver error, other factors may lead to big rig accidents, including fatigue, speeding, and equipment failure. To avoid a personal injury lawsuit, drivers should take every precaution to follow traffic laws.
Statistics show that 74% of big rig accidents result in injuries or fatalities. The other 76% result in property damage and injury. Many of these accidents involve several trucks. In addition, as many as 30% of fatal accidents occur in work zones where multiple trucks are involved. Accident reconstruction specialists and lawyers can work to uncover evidence of negligence. Regardless of the type of accident, legal support can help an injured person evaluate settlement offers and prepare for litigation.
The primary cause of big rig accidents is driver error. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety and Security Management, driver error accounts for 88% of vehicle crashes. The driver may be fatigued or taking drugs, or he or she may be distracted. Even minor mistakes like failing to check a driver’s blind spot may contribute to a collision. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that all accidents are due to driver error.
If driver error is a major cause of big rig accidents, avoiding them can be difficult. But it’s important to follow traffic laws, obey traffic rules, and practice safe driving habits to avoid truck accidents. According to a report from Volvo, preventing truck crashes by minimizing human error could save about 4,500 lives and prevent 117,000 injuries per year. But how can driver error be eliminated?
Hire a truck accident lawyer to protect your rights
Hiring a truck accident lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve after an auto accident. The lawyers who represent trucking companies will send their own lawyers to the scene of an accident to defend their own interests. While these lawyers are there to protect their own interests, you will need expert legal counsel as well. Truck accident attorneys can give you the necessary information to make your case stronger. They also provide you with information about what to expect after an accident.
The first step in filing a truck accident claim is to seek medical care. You will need to establish that the truck driver’s negligence caused your accident. The second step is to prove that you suffered damage or pain and suffering. Once you can prove the negligence of the truck driver, you may have a case against the trucking company. An experienced attorney will be able to prove that your claim has merit and will result in compensation.
The cost of hiring a truck accident lawyer depends on the type of case. While most cases don’t go to court, you’ll likely settle the case for less than you would have otherwise. In that case, you’ll pay a lawyer’s fee on contingency. A truck accident lawyer’s fee may be greater than you would receive from an hourly lawyer if you file a lawsuit.
While truck accident claims are more serious than those involving passenger vehicles, they are not simple cases. Tractor-trailers can be enormously heavy, weighing up to 80,000 pounds. That means that any accident caused by a truck can result in catastrophic injuries. If you are a victim, you should contact a truck accident lawyer to protect your rights. If you don’t know where to turn, a truck accident lawyer will be able to explain your rights to the company that caused the crash.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to file multiple claims. A lawyer experienced in this area of law can handle everything from the day-to-day demands of a truck accident case. You may even be able to sue the truck driver directly, or the trucking company’s parent company. Your claims may also extend to factors such as inadequate training or a defective truck.