Did you know that 18-wheeler crashes are more widespread across the country than most people think? These rigs are responsible for the deaths and injuries of thousands of Americans every year. These big rigs share the roads with us every day, which makes collisions with them highly likely. It’s important to note that accidents of this nature are much gruesome and catastrophic as compared to passenger vehicle collisions. Their enormous size makes maneuverability limited meaning that there are more blind spots unknown to the driver. So when an accident occurs, the driver can do little about it but hope and pray. So what are the top causes of these 18-wheeler accidents?
Truck drivers can be negligent of their duties in a variety of ways. It’s in fact, one of the major reasons 18-wheeler accidents occur. If you believe the driver was negligent in the moments leading to the crash, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the trucking company. The following driving mistakes may support claims for monetary compensation.
i.Distracted Driving – Inattentive driving encompasses things like texting and calling, eating, taking pictures, communicating with dispatch, watching movies or switching the radio while still in transit. Taking your eyes off the road for a moment is long enough for a catastrophic accident to occur.
ii. Driving Errors – Driver error can be attributed to mostly poor judgement from the driver in reading the situation, which often results in a fatal crash. Common causes for this include changing lanes, speeding, harsh braking and following too closely.
iii. Driving Under The Influence – Consuming any intoxicating substance and getting behind the wheel is illegal and punishable by law considering that you will be endangering the lives of other road users. The Federal Motor Safety Administration has clear, well-defined rules concerning the subject but that hasn’t hindered truck drivers from partaking. Recent data suggest that the consumption of alcohol and illegal substances by truck drivers is prevalent across the country with the fatalities and deaths being quite high. If a driver is under the influence, then their decision making is impaired which in turn increases the likelihood of an accident.
Truck Employer Negligence
Trucking companies usually impose unrealistic targets and goals on truck drivers who are expected to meet the schedules without fail. This pressure only makes truck drivers push themselves beyond their limits, making them speed to arrive at the destination on time or drive continuously for several hours with few breaks. Other ways the trucking company can be negligent includes failure to properly maintain and load their 18-wheeler before it leaves or if the driver is found not having a license or the right amount of training, then the trucking company can be held responsible. Also, if the company is found to have violated the Federal Motor Carrier Standards, a liability suit can ensue from that.
If you happen to be a victim of a truck collision, seek out the help of an attorney to help you get the justice you deserve. Don’t go through the pain and suffering of paying medical treatment and rehabilitation alone. Settling with the party at fault can make life way easier for you and your family as you start your journey to recovery. Don’t let them get away with it!