With the increasing number of semi trucks sharing the road with passenger vehicles comes a greater likelihood of being involved in a trucking accident. Statistics on trucking accidents are grim - tractor trailer accidents are responsible for 1 out of every 8 traffic fatalities in the state of Illinois alone.
How do trucking accidents happen?
Truck drivers are often under tremendous pressure from their employers to meet tight deadlines. Unfortunately, this can lead to negligent behavior on the part of the drivers, such as failing to conduct proper equipment inspections, driving under poor conditions, or ignoring regulations requiring drivers to limit the number of hours they drive per day.
Some common reasons for trucking accidents:
*Poor driving conditions
*Aggressive driving
*Speeding
*Driver fatigue
*Failure to yield to other vehicles
*Drug or alcohol use
*Brake failure
*Excessive load
*Driver inexperience
How can trucking accidents be preven
ted?
Drivers of passenger vehicles can avoid being involved in a trucking accident by taking precautions while on the road. Steps that can be taken to prevent an accident include:
*Avoiding blind spots. Many trucks have a sign stating, "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you." Keeping out of the trucker's blind spot ensures that he is aware of your presence.
*Maintaining a safe distance. Due to their weight and size, trucks require more room for braking than smaller vehicles. If a truck is following you too closely, change lanes to avoid a rear-end collision. Also, driving closely behind a truck, especially in bad weather, increases your chances of being caught if the trailer jackknifes in front of you.
*Watching out for turns. Because of their length, tractor trailers have a wide turning radius. Pulling up alongside when they are turning can have disastrous results.
What happens if you are involved in a trucking accident?
If you or a loved one has been in a trucking accident, it is important that you document the event as accurately as possible. Photographs of the accident scene, statements from all drivers involved, witness statements, police reports, and medical records are all critical to your accident claim.
Whenever possible, you should collect names, phone numbers, and insurance information from all drivers involved, as well as the name of the trucking company. This information will be essential in establishing your liability claim.
Who is liable in a trucking accident?
The list of possible defendants in an accident claim is endless. The driver usually bears more or less of the responsibility depending on the nature of the accident. The company whom he drives for can also be held liable, as well as the owner of the load, the truck manufacturer, the tire distributor, or others, depending on the cause of the accident.
Why hire an attorney if you have been involved in a trucking accident?
Because of the enormous liability that truckers and their companies face when an accident has occurred, they and their lawyers will be immediately at work to build their defense against any resulting lawsuits. If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident, it is of utmost importance that you retain an attorney experienced in trucking accident litigation as soon as possible, to ensure that any medical or property claims are awarded fairly. You should hire a lawyer who is knowledgeable, with a proven track record and the resources to give your claim the attention it deserves.
