The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently reported as many as 415,000 traffic crashes a year involve large commercial trucks. Such crashes caused about 83,000 injuries and 3,600 fatalities, most of whom were occupants of smaller vehicles. These statistics demonstrate that anyone who drives near these large vehicles is at risk of suffering injuries in a serious truck accident. If you are a victim and suffering from injuries due to a complex commercial truck accident—you need an entire team of well-versed legal professionals that can help you get the recovery you deserve.
Our team of truck accident lawyers and legal professionals at Trust Guss Injury Lawyers, have a thorough understanding of the trucking industry and common truck accident causes and we will pursue every avenue to for the justice you deserve. If you sustained injuries in a crash with a commercial vehicle, call our office right now at 800-898-4877 or contact us online by CLICKING HERE. Our consultation is free, and we can assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
National Trucking Accident Attorney Stewart J. Guss discusses trucking safety on national news with Mike Papantonio on America’s Lawyer
Causes of Truck Accidents
Even if you always drive as safe as possible, you cannot always prevent accidents from happening. Nevertheless, be aware of the common causes of truck accidents to protect yourself from potentially dangerous scenarios. If a truck accident causes your injuries, it is critical to pinpoint the cause of the accident to determine who is liable for your losses.
The FMCSA reports a wide range of truck accident causes and indicates most crashes involve a combination of factors. The following are only some examples of truck accident causes often involved in our cases.
Driver Negligence
Truck drivers have the massive responsibility to safely operate vehicles that can weigh up to 80,000 and cause severe damage in the event of a collision. For this reason, they must undergo training and exams to receive their commercial driver’s license (CDL). When operating a commercial vehicle, drivers must adhere to stricter and more extensive rules and laws than non-commercial drivers.
Truck drivers can make mistakes, have errors in judgment, and otherwise be negligent on the roads. Some types of driver negligence typically involved in truck accident cases include:
- Distracted driving, including texting, eating or engaging with passengers
- Speeding or driving too fast for adverse weather or road conditions
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while fatigued or in violation of hours of service restrictions
- Violating any state or local traffic laws
- Violating any FMCSA regulations
- Driving with a serious health condition
- Driving without a valid and proper CDL or CDL endorsement
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Not following proper procedures when pulled over to the side of the road
Our legal team knows that when a driver is negligent, the driver’s employer may also be liable for the employee’s negligent acts and any resulting harm.
Trucking Company Negligence
A trucking company has many duties, including the responsibility to hire safe drivers, to supervise its drivers, to keep accurate records, and to maintain its fleet of trucks. Companies often try to cut corners, and this puts the safety of the public at risk. For example, if a company does not thoroughly vet every driver, it may hire someone with a history of dangerous driving or DUI convictions. Also, a company may cut costs by skipping truck inspection or repairs, and this can often lead to accidents.
Trucking companies also must comply with all FMCSA regulations when it comes to the supervision of drivers. Compliance includes conducting random drug and alcohol testing and reviewing logbooks to ensure drivers do not violate hours of service. If a trucking company allows drivers to break the law, it can be liable for negligence if that driver causes a crash.
Improper Maintenance
Commercial trucks have many moving parts, which means that many things can go wrong without warning. For this reason, every tractor-trailer should undergo regular inspections and routine maintenance. If a company or driver discovers a possible problem, the truck should go in for repairs before a driver operates it on the highway again.
Unfortunately, too many trucking companies fail to inspect or maintain semi-trucks properly. When trucks do not undergo proper maintenance, many issues can lead to accidents, including brake failures and tire blowouts. When a driver operates a 30-ton vehicle, and a tire blows or the brakes fail, it is almost shocking if they avoid a crash.
Improper Cargo Loading
The primary purpose of commercial trucks is often to transport cargo across the country. Cargo comes in every imaginable shape and size - a rig may carry boxes of produce, furniture, cars, heavy equipment, move entire houses! No matter what type of cargo a truck holds, loading crews must be sure to follow all proper loading and securement procedures for that type of load.
When improper cargo loading occurs, cargo can fall out of a trailer or off a flatbed trailer. Cargo can also shift as the truck moves, causes a container to fall off balance and the driver to lose control. Proper cargo loading is critical to not only prevent crashes but to reduce the damage if an accident happens.
Following an accident, our investigators work to prove the cause of your accident and which parties should be responsible for your losses. We then pursue insurance claims with the relevant companies and fight for the full settlement you deserve to cover your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Trucking companies and their insurers can be intimidating adversaries. However, our legal team knows how to aggressively stand up for your rights if a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence led to your injuries.
Contact Our Texas Truck Accident Law Firm for More Information
At the law offices of Trust Guss Injury Lawyers, our skilled legal team knows how to handle even the most complicated truck accident claims. Truck accident victims often incur devastating losses, and you do not want to risk losing significant compensation by hiring a law firm without the necessary resources to handle your claim. If you were in a truck accident, please contact our law firm to discuss your options with a member of our legal team. We obtain the results our clients deserve from insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits every day.
The attorneys and legal professionals of Trust Guss Injury Lawyers, are nationally recognized for protecting the rights of truck accident victims for more than 20 years. We will aggressively pursue your case against all parties involved. If you are hurting due to a truck accident, call our office right now to schedule a free consultation! We take every personal injury case on a contingency fee basis, and you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to assist you with your complex truck accident case. Call us right now at 800-898-4877 or contact us by CLICKING HERE. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain—contact us right now.