Truck driver negligence can turn an 80,000-pound vehicle on the highway into a severe and life-threatening road hazard. Operating a commercial vehicle is a complicated business, and it often requires strict adherence to safety regulations and extensive training to reduce the risk of injury or death. When safety measures are skipped and truckers drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speed, drive while fatigued, or otherwise engage in reckless or careless behavior, other motorists can suffer serious and fatal injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident and you believe that truck driver negligence was the cause of the incident, please contact a semi truck lawyer at Attorney Group today.
Common Types of Negligence
While most truck drivers adhere to the rules of the road and safely operate their vehicles, others choose to neglect critical safety precautions in the interest of meeting a delivery deadline. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 88 percent of the time that a semi truck has caused an accident, the driver’s behavior or actions were the critical factors that lead to the incident.
Truck driver negligence can come in a variety of forms, but some of the most common include:
- Falsifying driver logs to exceed permitted hours of driving
- Drowsy driving or driving while fatigued and skipping mandated sleep breaks in order to meet a delivery deadline
- Failing to pay attention to the weather conditions, traffic, or highway
- Overloading the vehicle or failing to properly secure the vehicle’s load
- Failing to properly and thoroughly inspect the condition of the truck
- Making illegal or dangerous driving maneuvers
- Tailgating or closely following other cars
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving too fast or unnecessarily swerving in and out of lanes.
When truck driver misconduct causes an accident that involves injuries, both the driver and his or her employer may be held responsible for the damages that result, particularly when negligence is also attributed to pressure from the trucking company to deliver the load on time and making unreasonable demands of its drivers.
Due to the complex nature of semi trucking accident lawsuits, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as you believe that you have a case. There are many possible causes of these incidents, and a semi truck lawyer can help you to determine whether the driver or the trucking company is to be held responsible and whether semi trucking accident lawsuits apply in your situation. If it is found that you have a case against those responsible, you may be entitled to recover damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
Do You Have Questions about Trucking Accident Lawsuits?
If you or someone you love has been injured in a semi truck accident and you believe that negligence was to blame, please contact Attorney Group today to schedule your free case evaluation. We can help you determine if you are able to seek damages for your injuries, and we can put you in contact with an affiliated semi truck lawyer who has experience in handling trucking accident lawsuits. Call us today to get started.
