Five Most Common Causes Of Semi-Truck Accidents
Michael Babboni
Trucking Accidents
Auto accidents involving a semi-truck are particularly devastating because of the sheer size of the vehicles. The average semi-truck is 57 feet long and weighs 80,000 lbs, when the average car only weighs around 4,000 lbs. When you get hit by a semi-truck, it can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle and put you at risk for really severe injury. What’s worse is that filing a claim to get compensation for your damages is more complicated because the laws around trucking accidents are more complicated.What Causes Trucking Accidents?
The following are the five biggest causes of trucking accidents:
• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is the number one cause for all motor vehicle accidents in the United States including trucking accidents.
• Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Commercial trucks can drive thousands of miles in a day. That creates a lot of wear and tear on the vehicle. If the vehicle is not properly maintained, it can cause a mechanical issue that ultimately causes an accident.
• Mechanical Failure: Like all motor vehicles, trucks can have mechanical issues. Their breaks can malfunction, their steering wheel can lock, or they can simply lose power. In these cases, a mechanical malfunction while driving can cause a serious accident.
• Inclement Weather: In heavy winds and rains, it is very difficult for anyone to drive. However, with such a large face and heavy weight, inclement weather is very dangerous for semi-trucks and is often a cause of an accident.
• Improper Cargo Loading: Trucks are designed to haul goods across the country. These goods need to be secured properly in order not to fall off the vehicle. Sometimes they are improperly loaded and cause an accident.
How Do These Causes Impact Liability?
These causes are the result of many factors and liability in trucking accidents are not always straightforward. There are many individuals and entities that may be liable in a trucking accident including:
● The truck driver
● The trucking company
● The truck’s mechanic
● The loading company
● The truck’s manufacturer
● The trailer company
● The trailer manufacturer
So when you get into an accident with a trucker, the driver may not automatically be liable for the accidents.
Untangling Liability In Trucking Accidents
Determining who is liable for the accident can be really difficult. If the accident was caused by a distracted truck driver it’s clear they are liable. However, if it was poor vehicle maintenance or mechanical failures, the trucking company, truck’s mechanic, or the truck’s manufacturer may be liable. If the accident happened in inclement weather, it may not be the weather’s fault. It may actually be the trucking company’s fault for forcing the driver to make deadlines even if it means driving in a dangerous storm. If a load fails, it may be the trailer manufacturer's fault or the loading company. What makes this even more complicated, is that trucks drive all over the country. So every single one of these entities could be in entirely different states.
Why You Need An Attorney No Matter The Cause Of The Accident
As you can see, no matter the cause of the accident, determining liability in a semi-truck accident is very challenging. In order to receive fair compensation for your damages, you need to work with an attorney experienced in protecting the victims of trucking accidents. A qualified attorney can untangle the web of liability to make sure that you are going after the party that is truly at fault for your accident. They will also help you prove fault, determine the value of your damages, and negotiate a fair settlement so you can focus on healing from your injuries.
The attorneys at Justice Pays have this experience. Michael Babboni has been representing Florida trucking accident victims for over 27 years. He has the knowledge to assess the accident, find who is at fault no matter the cause, and get you the money you need to get back on track. If you’ve been in a trucking accident, contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more!