If big trucks are one thing—it’s intimidating. On the roadway, they power past other smaller vehicles—some that are up to 1/40th of their weight—proving that they are the bosses of the highway. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you likely know that injuries sustained during these horrific accidents can be nothing short of life-altering, leaving you unable to hold down a job and quite possibly disabled over the short or long term. Long haul truck operators often work for big trucking companies with significant resources, including lawyers working hard to negate any potential settlement for your injuries. SMA Law Group understands the nuances involved in a truck accident claim, and our Westmoreland County truck accident attorney is ready to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
Common Causes of Big Truck Accidents
Sometimes it’s difficult to determine who is at fault for accidents involving big trucks, as multiple factors might have come into play to cause the accident. However some of the most common causes of big truck accidence include:
- Driver Negligence, such as:
- Distracted driving (texting, talking on the phone, eating, watching videos on your smart phone or tablet, etc.)
- Failing to get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs
- Merging or switching lanes without looking
- Speeding, tailgating or engaging in otherwise aggressive driving
- Truck Company Negligence, such as:
- Hiring inexperienced drivers or truckers who lack a Class B Commercial Vehicle license
- Requiring employees to spend too many hours behind the wheel of their trucks and not granting them enough time off for rest
- Loading cargo into the back of the truck improperly
- Failure to provide proper maintenance to their trucks
- Overloading their trucks with cargo
- Repair/Maintenance Shop Negligence, such as:
- Negligent transmission repairs
- Improperly inflated tires
- Faulty brake installation
- Road Construction/Maintenance Negligence, such as:
- Potholes or other damages to the road
- Low shoulders and inadequate safety barriers
- Debris left over from construction sites that are in the road
- Ice and snow accumulation
- Passenger Vehicle Driver Negligence, such as:
- Distracted driving (texting, not paying attention to the road, eating or putting on makeup while driving)
- Failing to use blinkers when turning or switching lanes
- Creating any situation that made it impossible for a collision to be avoided
