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Truck Accidents: Causes Other Than Driver Fatigue |
Serving Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven and Surrounding Areas
At the law firm of Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC our accident attorneys have many years of experience fighting to obtain compensation for those who have suffered injuries in truck accidents.
When a large trailer truck collides with other vehicles or pedestrians, their size and weight make serious injury or death more likely. It is estimated that approximately half a million truck accidents occur every year in the United States, and of these, about 5,000 result in fatalities. This means that every 16 minutes someone dies in a truck accident. Most of these deaths are of passengers of other vehicles, while the truck drivers often escape injury altogether.
Some of the causes
As these statistics demonstrate, commercial trucks are among the most dangerous vehicles on the road. While driver fatigue is a well known cause of truck accidents, other causes can include:
- Driver error – Rushing or speeding to meet a tight delivery deadline can lead to poor judgment and accidents.
- The weight of the truck – A heavy truck develops faster momentum and must be given a longer distance to stop than a smaller vehicle. This requires the driver to keep appropriate space in front of him, despite the tendency of other vehicles to pass the truck and slide into the lane in front of it.
- Overloading – Overloading the truck cargo can throw the center of gravity off and make the truck difficult to maneuver.
- Mechanical defects – Mechanical failure or defective components can surprise the driver and lead to accidents.
- Repair and maintenance failure – Failing to adequately repair and maintain a truck can cause breakdowns and accidents. A stationary truck takes up a lot of space on the road and can be dangerous, even with warning lights on and cones on the road.
Pressure to deliver
The trucking business is a competitive one and trucking companies make their drivers’ schedules as tight as they can, for faster deliveries. This can create safety issues and accidents. The driver wants to maintain good standing with his employer by delivering his cargo on time, and is encouraged by a system of compensation that rewards speedy deliveries. In some cases, truck drivers may not be adequately trained on safety issues and defensive driving techniques.
Truck accident litigation is similar to automobile accident litigation. But the unique nature of the trucking industry and the many differences between big trucks and other vehicles on the road create different issues when an individual is injured in a truck accident. Our accident attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC are familiar with these issues and can evaluate your claim, represent you in any litigation, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and help you to get your life back on track.
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