What Caused Your Trucking Accident?
Lufkin Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You Find Out
As the roads become more and more crowded, trucking companies are facing tightened safety measures. Drivers and companies sometimes think they can neglect rules without consequences; however, this irresponsibility leads to accidents. Truck driver error is one of the most common culprits. Of the 141,000 truck crashes that take place each year, truck driver error caused roughly 77,000 of them. For drivers operating trucks larger than most vehicles on the road, oversights are unacceptable and deadly. If you have been involved in a trucking accident, the Lufkin truck accident attorneys at Mike Love and Associates can help you discover the cause of your accident and will fight for a verdict that will compensate you for resulting medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
How did your accident happen? It likely had to do with one of these top 10 reasons from the U.S. Department of Transportation:
- Prescription Drug Use 26.3%
- Traveling Too Fast for Conditions 22.9%
- Unfamiliar with Roadway (Less Than 6 Times in 6 Months) 21.6%
- Over-the-Counter Drug Use 17.3%
- Inadequate Surveillance 13.2%
- Fatigue 13.0%
- Under Work-Related Pressure 9.2%
- Illegal Maneuver 9.1%
- Inattention 8.5%
- External Distraction Factors 8.0%
Many times, trucking companies place extreme pressure on drivers to meet tight deadlines, and they will drive too fast, ignore safety rules or take illegal substances to stay on schedule. The law requires all truck drivers to keep detailed records of their activities, rest periods and maintenance checks. This information is invaluable in truck accident cases. However, because people can alter driver logs and other evidence related to the cause of your accident so easily, it is critical to get professional help as soon as possible following the event. Attorneys can scour these logs to find out if a driver error led to your accident.
Jackknifing, Rear and Head-on Collisions
Jackknifing is a common problem for large trucks. It occurs when a driver applies the brakes of a tractor-trailer too suddenly and causes the truck to skid into a “V”. However, certain situations can increase the risk of jackknifing events. Improperly adjusted brakes, brake failure and wet or dangerous road conditions often play a role.
In a rear-end collision, a truck is typically following too closely to the car in front of it to be able to stop in time to avoid hitting it. Because large trucks so greatly outweigh smaller vehicles, they often cause serious damage to the smaller cars when they hit them from the rear.
In a head-on collision, the truck driver veers across the highway’s dividing line into oncoming traffic. Head-on collisions usually occur because something distracted the driver, such as that he or she was experiencing fatigue, or abusing illegal substances. These high-impact crashes often cause severe injury and vehicle damage.
Truck Maintenance Problems
Conducting maintenance checks for tractor-trailers is mandatory for trucking companies and drivers. If a driver or trucking company fails to inspect a truck thoroughly, it may go out on the road with hazardous issues in its trailer, air brakes, hydraulic brakes or tires. An attorney will investigate maintenance records and discover whether a truck problem led to your accident.
If you or your loved one has endured the pain, suffering and emotional upheaval of a trucking accident, we are here for you. Our Lufkin truck accident lawyers will look over every bit of data necessary and build the strongest claim possible on your behalf. Contact us today to discuss your case in a free consultation.