Truck Accident Causes

Uncovering the Hidden Reasons for Truck Accidents

An 18-wheeler truck driving on the highway suddenly veers into another lane, cutting off a passenger vehicle and causing serious injuries to the driver and occupants in that vehicle. While it may seem that the truck driver is solely to blame for the accident, trucking accidents are often more complex. In order to uncover the real reason behind the accident, it is important to have an experienced legal professional who can investigate the accident and determine if federal regulations were violated.

At DominaLaw Group, we have conducted numerous investigations for all types of truck accident cases, and we understand the impact that this knowledge can have in an injury claim. Many people are astonished to learn of the disproportionately high number of fatal accidents that are caused by truck drivers. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates that around 500,000 trucking accidents take place every year in the United States, and 98% of the fatalities occur to the individuals in the passenger vehicles.

Common Causes

A truck driver can cause a serious accident in a number of ways. From driving too fast to driving while fatigued or driving under the influence of alcohol, truck drivers are prone to many temptations during the many hours that they spend on the road. Truck driver fatigue, in particular, contributes to as much as 40% of all heavy truck crashes. The main result of fatigue is that the truck driver falls asleep behind the wheel, and these accidents typically take place during the driver's 8th to 11th hour of driving. If you suspect that truck driver fatigue is to blame for your accident, our firm will take a close look at the driver's working conditions and driver's logbook to determine if the driver was working too many hours.

Another common cause of truck accidents is truck driver inexperience. It takes a tremendous amount of training and attentiveness to drive such a heavy and lengthy vehicle, and all truck drivers are supposed to undergo extensive drug and alcohol screening prior to employment. Employers can be held liable for allowing an unlicensed driver to get behind the wheel of a commercial truck, and our truck accident lawyers have experience in these cases.

In some cases, a safety problem or a product defect is to blame for a truck accident. Even the smallest defect can contribute to and cause an accident if the conditions are right. The manufacturers of commercial trucks and truck parts have a legal responsibility to produce quality products, and employers have a responsibility to maintain their trucks. After an accident occurs, our firm works closely with industry experts and even product engineers to determine the causes of your accident and to expose any weaknesses in the manufacturer's argument. Faulty brakes, tire defects, tire blowouts, and improperly loaded trucks are but a few ways that the truck itself can be responsible for an accident.

The roads that we drive on every day also present a potential risk for accidents. Roads, streets, highways and freeways must be designed in a safe manner and regularly maintained to ensure the safety of drivers. Our attorneys have seen many truck accidents that were caused by pot holes, broken pavement, steep shoulder drop-offs or fallen trees. Weather can also play a vital role in our ability to drive safely, and truck drivers must be aware of how the weather conditions will affect their truck. When a road is not properly designed, trucks and other motor vehicles can be caught off-guard by sharp turns and curves. This can lead to many devastating accidents, and we are committed to holding the negligent party responsible for the unnecessary harm that is caused.

Contact DominaLaw Group for a free consultation!

Because of the complex process involved with determining the primary cause of a commercial truck accident, you should never be without the protection and guidance of a truck accident lawyer. The right attorney for your case should have extensive experience in this area of the law in order to protect you from the powerful organizations that you may have to go up against.

Our goal in addressing your truck accident claim will be to determine who the negligent party is and then to figure out how to hold them accountable. We work closely together and with industry experts to build a compelling case for compensation and justice, and our courtroom success speaks to our ability to do so effectively. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our talented professionals.