If you are the victim of a semi-truck, or other truck accident, the questions of who is responsible and what actually caused the accident are often much more complicated than in a simple traffic accident. A truck accident can be much more catastrophic than an accident between two personal-use vehicles. A typical, fully loaded commercial truck (such as a big rig or dump truck) can weigh at least 25 times as much as a typical car. Due to this disparity and the basic laws of physics, most big rig truck accidents with other vehicles result in serious, even fatal, injuries.
When it comes to truck accidents, there are a lot of players who may be responsible for a victim’s injuries, including:
- the truck’s driver;
- the owner of the truck or trailer;
- the person or company that leased the truck or trailer from the owner;
- the manufacturer of the vehicle, tires, or other parts that may have contributed to the cause or severity of the accident;
- the shipper or loader of the truck’s cargo (in cases involving improper loading).
Apart from the dangers posed by the size and lack of maneuverability of commercial trucks there are a number of situations that may contribute to accidents with other motorists. Some are the fault of the truck driver, while others are the result of common mistakes made by other motorists.
Common causes of truck accidents caused by commercial truck drivers include:
- truck driver tiredness and fatigue;
- poor or improper truck maintenance;
- equipment failure;
- distracted driving;
- texting truck drivers;
- unsafe driving practices.
The most common causes of truck accidents caused by passenger vehicle drivers include:
- changing lanes abruptly or improper merging in front of a semi;
- unsafe passing;
- driving in a blind spot;
- allow for wide turns.
From the first moment you’re in a truck accident, the truck company has their insurance company working on the case to try and minimize their exposure. They may try to ask you your version of events again and again to create inconstancies, offer you pennies on the dollar, or ask your “permission” to fix something thereby destroying evidence. You need someone on your side.  If you or your loved one has been injured by a commercial truck, it’s in your best interests to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney.
