Truck accidents are very common in the US. In 2021, 523,796 accidents occurred in the US, in which 5,788 people lost their lives. It should be noted that most of the fatalities are the occupants of other vehicles.
Truck drivers will usually be safe because of the size difference. When you look at the common causes of truck accidents, you can understand that they are a result of negligence.
Victims can claim compensation for accidents caused by negligence. They can file a claim and obtain compensation for their losses. They will need the help of the truck accident lawyers at Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC, or other such experienced law firms.
It is important to hire lawyers from well-known law firms because they can get you better compensation.
Liability in Truck Accidents
The first step in a truck accident claim is determining liability. The victim must know who caused the accident. Learning about the potential liable parties can help you determine liability. The following are some of the common liable parties in a truck accident:
• Truck drivers
• Trucking companies
• Truck maintenance team
• Truck manufacturer
• Cargo loading company
Truck Drivers
Truck drivers are liable for accidents in most cases. Truck drivers breach the duty of care they owe to others in many different ways. The following are some common negligent acts by truck drivers that lead to accidents:
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Sleep-deprived driving
• Violation of traffic rules
• Violation of hours of service rules
Trucking Companies
Truck drivers are not always responsible for accidents. The trucking companies’ goal is to make a profit. They do this by making many unethical decisions. They intentionally put road users’ lives at risk.
The following are some of the common forms of trucking company negligence that can lead to accidents:
• Negligent hiring
• Forcing drivers to violate the hours of service
• Inadequate training
• Improper maintenance
Truck Maintenance Team
The truck maintenance team is responsible for identifying defects and fixing them. They are also responsible for finding any errors that may arise in the future.
If they don’t fix the defect or inform the driver about the problems that may occur in the future, they can be held liable for the accident.
Truck Manufacturer
Defective parts are a common cause of truck accidents. Truck manufacturers are responsible for producing quality and safe products. They should run safety tests on trucks before selling them.
They can be subjected to product liability claims when their product doesn’t work as intended.
Cargo Loading Company
There is a procedure to load cargo into the truck. The team should not overload the truck.
Also, the cargo should be loaded in a way that the weight is distributed uniformly. If the weight is not distributed evenly, it will be difficult to steer the truck. The truck may swerve, which can lead to jackknife accidents.
What Next?
Determining liability is just the first step in a claim. Next, victims should prove the four elements of personal injury law, which are:
• Duty of care
• Breach of duty of care
• Causation
• Damages
Victims should collect relevant evidence to prove the above. It is quite a complex process, which is why hiring a truck accident lawyer is important. These lawyers know what to expect during the claim process and can plan accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Truck accidents can cause huge losses to the victims. Getting life back on track after a truck accident can be hard. Filing a claim can help accelerate the recovery process. Victims can obtain compensation for their losses from the at-fault party.
It is important to seek the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer since claiming fair compensation is difficult without their help. Insurance companies will try to cheat you if you don’t have a lawyer by your side. So it is best to hire a lawyer and protect yourself.