Sharing the road with a large truck or 18-wheeler will make any driver more cautious. However, precautions that a driver may adopt while driving near a large truck may be useless if the driver of the truck is not operating the vehicle properly. If you or a family member was a victim of a serious truck accident, you should consult with an experienced Pembroke Pines truck accident lawyer.
Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA are dedicated to helping victims of serious truck accidents pursue the parties responsible for their injuries. Our firm has worked with residents from Pembroke Pines, and across the State of Florida, and we would be honored to work with you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Prosper Shaked at (305) 694-2676, or contact us online.
4 Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often leave the victims of the accident with severe or life-threatening injuries. If you were involved in a dangerous trucking accident, you are likely wondering who is to blame for your injuries and the damage to your vehicle. Learning the cause of a truck accident can also help you determine who should be held liable for the accident.
The following is a list of common causes of truck accidents.
Overloaded Trailer
Every truck is subject to strict weight limits that should be adhered to closely. Unfortunately, some negligent companies may choose to overload a tractor-trailer to transport more items in a shorter timeframe.
If a truck trailer is overloaded, the vehicle will become more difficult to maneuver, especially while traveling at high speeds. Additionally, the extra weight will ensure that a truck would cause excessive damage to another vehicle on impact, likely resulting in fatal injuries.
If a trucking company overloads a truck and the driver causes an accident due to a loss of maneuverability, the trucking company and the driver could be held liable for the accident.
Truck Tire Blowout
Truck tire blowouts can occur for a number of reasons. For example, an overloaded tractor-trailer can place additional pressure on truck tires which can cause them to explode when the vehicle is in use.
Another common cause of truck tire blowout is a failure to perform frequent maintenance on a vehicle. Truck drivers often have to travel a great number of miles every week to meet their delivery deadlines. As a result, the tires of a truck quickly become worn from use. When this happens, the trucking company should service or replace the overused tires. Unfortunately, some trucking companies may fail to frequently service their vehicles.
A tire blowout will cause a driver to easily lose control of a vehicle if they are not properly trained on how to handle the situation. A truck tire blowout is especially dangerous because there is an increased risk of the truck colliding with multiple motorists in the vicinity of the truck.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers are not permitted to work more than a certain number of hours in a given week. This is to prevent truck drivers from getting behind the wheel while they are extremely exhausted. However, some truck drivers and their employers may push the limits of mandated work hours.
If any driver is operating a vehicle while fatigued, they will have decreased response times and are even prone to fall asleep while driving. If a truck driver falls asleep for even a few seconds, they could cause a devastating accident that harms several people.
If an employer was responsible for illegally increasing work hours or failing to prevent a driver from working too many hours, they could be held liable for a truck accident caused by their employee.
Poor Weather
When a rational driver observes that the weather outside is becoming hazardous for motorists, they will take action to ensure they are operating their vehicle responsibly. Some negligent truck drivers that are bound to tight deadlines may elect to continue driving aggressively despite a drastic change in the weather. As a result, these truck drivers are more likely to cause an accident.
In some cases, a truck driver may not be properly trained concerning how to drive in inclement weather. If this is the case, the trucking company that employs the driver may also be responsible for the accident. There are many other causes of trucking accidents not listed above. If you need assistance getting started with your car injury case, you should waste no time in speaking with an experienced attorney.
Consult with an Experienced Pembroke Pines Truck Accident Injury Attorney to Discuss Your Injuries
If you or a family member was injured in a trucking accident, you should contact an experienced Pembroke Pines personal injury attorney. With a wealth of experience litigating a wide range of personal injury cases, injury attorney Prosper Shaked is prepared to help you pursue compensation for your accident. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA at (305) 694-2676.