Have you suffered a motor vehicle accident involving a large truck? If so, you’re one of thousands of people who experience truck accidents every year – people who are often left with serious financial and emotional costs in the aftermath. But was the truck driver at fault for your accident? That’s the question that really matters when it comes to figuring out how you’re going to get compensation for your injuries and damages.
Is the truck driver at fault?
According to data reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2012 nearly 4000 people died and 104,000 suffered injuries from large truck accidents. That year, hundreds of thousands of trucks were involved in motor vehicle collisions.
When other drivers are the problem
Truck drivers aren’t always the negligent party during a crash. They might suffer from other drivers’ negligent behavior on the road. But what are some of the ways in which a truck driver might contribute to a collision?
One example comes from an accident on the I-20 involving two tractor-trailers and a van that had been driving between them. According to the local news, the first tractor-trailer and the van needed to slow down due to traffic up ahead on the road. The second tractor-trailer coming up from behind apparently couldn’t stop in time; the driver subsequently received a charge of driving too quickly for the existing road conditions. As for the van’s driver, his vehicle got knocked off the road during the crash, and he sustained injuries.
Negligent behavior
In addition to driving too quickly, other negligent or illegal behaviors include the following:
- Driving without a proper commercial license.
- Falsifying trucking logs to try to cover up that the driver has been out on the road for too many consecutive hours.
- Various traffic law violations, including driving while intoxicated.
- Driving while fatigued.
Is the employer to blame?
In addition to scrutinizing the truck driver’s behavior, it’s important to also look at his or her employer. Through negligent practices, the companies that employ truck drivers might have increased the risk of an accident.
Were you involved in a trucking accident? Contact The Clardy Law Firm today. One of our lawyers can help you figure out if the truck driver was at fault. We’ll also find ways to help you deal with the potentially steep costs of a trucking accident.
