Trucking services are crucial for the economy. Ferrying goods across the country is essential, but trucking services have various challenges. Truck accidents are perhaps the most serious issue which can turn lives inside out. Car accidents can be severe, and the consequences are worse when you add the weight of a fully-loaded truck/semi-truck. Besides the overwhelming nature of trucking accidents, pursuing a claim is also difficult since you may have to deal with more than the truck driver. You could be facing an army of trucking company lawyers, insurance companies, and in some instances, parties like the truck manufacturer or maintenance service. If you/a loved one is involved in a trucking accident, it is recommended that you enlist a Putnam County car wreck lawyer.
Experienced trucking accident lawyers will help ensure that you receive fair compensation. They’ll pursue all the responsible parties, helping secure maximum settlement. The lawyer will help ensure you are compensated for all medical expenses, wrongful death, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and anxiety, among other damages. The resourceful trucking accident lawyers in Putnam County will thoroughly examine your situation, collect evidence, handle negotiations, and, if needed, present your case to a judge or jury in court trials. This is critical considering the complex nature of trucking accidents and the claim process, from establishing fault to dealing with huge corporations that want to close the claim as fast as possible with minimal losses. Trucking accidents occur in various forms, some more dangerous than others. Let’s look at the common causes and forms of trucking accidents.
Brake failure
Trucks’ heavy nature means if not well maintained, breaks can easily malfunction. Besides poor maintenance, break failure could be a manufacturing glitch, like poor installation. Brakes could be well installed and maintained but still fail, such as due to sudden high-speed stops and overuse causing overheating. This is especially if the drivers aren’t well trained. It means that the accident could be due to negligent acts of varying parties, including the manufacturer, the trucking company’s failure to vet and train the drivers, or poor driving habits. Break failure is among the most dangerous trucking accidents. The malfunction makes the truck a hazardous force on the roads considering how hard it can hit smaller cars and the weight when loaded.
Bald or blown tires
Trucks’ heavy nature means if not well maintained, breaks can easily malfunction. Besides poor maintenance, break failure could be a manufacturing glitch, like poor installation. Brakes could be well installed and maintained but still fail, such as due to sudden high-speed stops and overuse causing overheating. This is especially if the drivers aren’t well trained. It means that the accident could be due to negligent acts of varying parties, including the manufacturer, the trucking company’s failure to vet and train the drivers, or poor driving habits. Break failure is among the most dangerous trucking accidents. The malfunction makes the truck a hazardous force on the roads considering how hard it can hit smaller cars and the weight when loaded.
Cargo spills
Spilled cargo is perhaps the least popular trucking accident. Trucks haul massive cargo, which, if not well secured, can spill. Unless it is clear water or feathers from live birds, a cargo spillage is a negligent act, and the at-fault party, mainly the driver, must be held responsible. Falling cargo can cause serious accidents. For instance, logs can hit the cars behind the truck or roll over to the other lanes. This can result in multiple car pile-ups as the other drivers attempt to escape the fast-moving objects, causing serious accidents and traffic issues.
Blind spots
Each vehicle has blind spots, but none is bigger than trucks. It is the main reason certain areas, typically the rear and sides of a track, are referred to as No Man’s Land. Basically, if you can’t see the truck driver in their side mirrors, it means they also can’t see you. You should maintain a safe distance from the truck and overtake – cautiously since you can easily be hit, crashed, or forced off the road due to the blind spots. Truck drivers must acquire relevant licensing to operate complex vehicles legally. Understanding the blind spots makes it easier for the truck driver to ensure other road users’ safety.
Rollovers
Trucks, especially if fully or unevenly loaded, are at increased risk of rollover accidents. The driver can lose control of the heavy vehicle, which can start to slide and easily roll. Rollover truck accidents are often very dangerous to other road users, mainly those next to or passing the rolling truck. Rollover accidents could be due to overspeeding, overcorrection after drifting off the road, tripping on a curb, Collison with other objects on the road, or when on steep declines or inclines. It takes the right skills to operate a heavy truck, but even then, rollovers can happen and tend to cause severe consequences.
Squeeze play
Turning a truck is complex since the driver has to make a slight opposite swing to have enough space. For instance, the truck has to swing left when making a right turn. The truck can make a wider turn and hit another vehicle’s head. It can also fail to turn wide enough and squeeze cars beside the truck. Moreover, the approaching driver can mistake a left swing for a turn, which means they would attempt to pass, only to be trapped or squeezed between the front and back of the truck. The scenarios are called squeeze play or swinging turn accidents, requiring truck drivers to be skilled and carefully check the surroundings to avoid.
Underrides
Underrides happen when a truck brakes too quickly and the vehicle behind isn’t prepared. In such instances, smaller cars and motorcycles can collide and get trapped under the truck, which is often the deadliest trucking accident. Maintaining a safe distance, more so when behind a truck, is always critical to avoid such accidents.
Jackknife
A truck can fold where the trailer and cab form a 90-degree angle. This often happens when the truck brakes too quickly and the trailer pushes the cab to one side. Jackknife accidents can be quite deadly, especially when the truck drifts to other lanes, brock off a major part, and result in serious collisions.
Truck accidents can be deadly, whether due to DUI, poor maintenance, road conditions, or another driver’s fault. When involved in trucking accidents, enlisting professional legal representation is crucial. The Putnam County lawyer will thoroughly investigate the accident, establish fault, and protect your rights. The truck accident lawyer also knows the strategies trucking companies and insurance employ to deny or provide minimal settlements. This means they’ll represent your interest to ensure you win your car wreck case and receive maximum compensation. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a trucking accident, contact Burnett Law for a free, no-strings-attached consultation.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog or on this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any specific subject matter. No person should act or refrain from acting due to any content included in the site without seeking legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from an attorney licensed in the person’s state. The Firm expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this blog or website.
