A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. When it collides with an ordinary sedan weighing approximately 5,000 pounds, the results are often catastrophic. Often, survivors have life-changing injuries. If you were injured in a truck accident, or someone you loved was killed, our personal injury attorneys at Springer & Lyle can help you file a claim for compensation.
Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents
- Driver fatigue. Studies have shown that a fatigued truck driver can be as impaired as a drunk driver. Fatigued drivers make poor decisions. Improper lane changes and driving too fast for the road conditions are just two examples.
- Improperly loaded and/or improperly secured cargo. This allows the cargo to shift when the driver turns a corner, changes lanes, or brakes. The shifting cargo can cause the driver to lose control of the truck and plow into a truck.
- Failure to properly inspect the truck. This can lead to driving with faulty brakes, worn tires, and other mechanical problems.
- Driving under the influence.
There are Circumstances When the Trucking Company May be Responsible for the Trucking Accident
Although driver errors are not always the responsibility of the trucking company, there are times when the trucking company may also be liable for the accident. Some examples are:
- Incomplete or inadequate required background checks on drivers. Each applicant’s DMV records are to be researched to find any records of accidents, or DUIs, and to verify the driver’s history of how long the driver has been driving the class of vehicle for which he will be driving for this owner. Trucking companies also have to ensure that their drivers are also medically cleared.
- Failure to inspect the driving logs of the driver to be sure the driver is following the federal regulations requiring logging in their driving and resting hours.
- Failure to properly inspect the vehicle and to keep a log of all repairs and upgrades.
How Your Personal Injury Attorney Will Handle the Case
Your personal injury attorney will have more duties in handling a trucking accident than in handling a crash with another car. Some things the attorney will do include:
- Investigating the driving history of the driver and whether the driver was properly trained and/or retained.
- Investigating the pre-wreck history of the truck itself and the trucking company that owns the truck.
- Obtaining and reviewing the driving logs the law requires drivers to maintain.
- Obtaining the maintenance inspection reports the trucking company is required to keep.
- Downloading the truck’s crash data (black box) information.
- Hiring all experts needed for the case. This may include an accident reconstructionist, mechanical engineer, trucking regulation expert and life care planner if future medical needs are an issue.
Contact Springer & Lyle for Assistance
The personal injury attorneys at Springer & Lyle can help you get the reasonable compensation you are entitled for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other physical damage. Contact us at 940.387.0404 for a free consultation.
