Truck drivers can cause truck accidents by exhibiting negligent driving behavior, such as distracted, drunk, or drowsy driving. Each of these negligent driving behaviors can cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles. It can lead to them being unable to stop the large truck from crashing into another vehicle, leading to catastrophic damages and injuries.
Victims of truck accidents can pursue compensation for damages, such as medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, by filing a truck accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. A truck accident lawyer can collect evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence and put you in a position to recover fair compensation. The experienced truck accident attorneys at The Russo Firm can help you assess current and future damages, determine the liable party, collect evidence, and negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer.
Read more: When to hire a personal injury lawyer
Truck Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
Truck accidents result from a driver operating their vehicle negligently or intentionally recklessly. One type of negligent driving behavior that can cause a truck accident is distracted driving. This is when a driver is distracted by a manual, visual, or cognitive distraction that takes their attention away from driving safely. Distractions can prevent a truck driver from seeing other vehicles, obstacles, and road signs that can affect their commute.
Not seeing another driver drifting into their lane can cause a catastrophic truck accident, with a truck driver possibly moving too fast and colliding with a much smaller vehicle. This can lead to an underride truck accident, with a smaller vehicle passing underneath a large truck and those inside the small vehicle experiencing a crushing impact. Truck drivers must stay focused behind the wheel because distractions can cause truck accidents, leaving them liable for damages in a truck accident claim.
The following are some distractions that can lead to a truck accident:
- Texting or calling someone
- Using social media
- Adjusting a GPS
- Changing a radio station
- Eating and drinking
- Applying makeup
- Having an involved conversation with someone else in the car
- Staring off at something outside of the car
- Thinking about something other than driving
Speeding Truck Accidents
Speeding truck accidents occur when a truck driver operates their vehicle above the speed limit, leading to them losing control of their large vehicle and crashing into another driver. Speed limits are posted on roads for a reason, as that is the fastest a vehicle can go and still navigate the road safely. A speeding driver can reduce their reaction time and increase the time necessary to stop their vehicle, leading to a mistake that can cause a truck collision.
This negligent driving behavior is dangerous no matter what vehicle is involved, but a truck speeding accident can be one of the most catastrophic types of motor vehicle accidents. Trucks, especially big rigs, are much large than other vehicles on the road. A vehicle of that size moving too fast can cause devastating impact to any smaller vehicle they strike, possibly tipping over and impacting multiple vehicles across a long stretch of road.
Drunk Driving Can Cause a Truck Accident
Drunk driving is when someone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle while inebriated from using drugs or alcohol. This can lead to reduced reaction time, poor decision-making, blurred vision, and drowsiness that can inhibit a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. The reduced mental faculties caused by inebriation can cause a driver to commit other negligent driving behaviors that can lead to a truck accident, such as speeding, road rage, or not obeying road rules.
Drowsy Driving Truck Accidents
Drowsy driving occurs when a driver is exhausted, fatigued, or tired behind the wheel, leading to worsened cognitive functioning and mistakes that can cause an accident. Fatigue behind the wheel can result from a poor sleeping schedule, the use of drugs or alcohol, or driving for too many hours.
Commercial truck drivers experience drowsy driving if they work for too many hours at a time. Each state has its own rules for how long truck drivers can work without an extended break, but some companies and drivers break these rules. This can lead to a driver becoming fatigued or drowsy behind the wheel and causing a truck accident.
Truck Accidents Caused by Road Rage
Road rage occurs when a driver becomes frustrated or angry behind the wheel and begins driving aggressively. Some of the aggressive driving behavior that can result from road rage include speeding, running red lights, honking at other drivers, not sharing lanes with other drivers, and intentionally striking another vehicle. This type of driving is dangerous, as it can expose others on the road to harm. Aggressive driving in a truck can lead to crashing into another vehicle, which can leave the aggressive driver liable for truck accident damages.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help You Pursue Compensation for Damages?
Hiring a truck accident lawyer can help with the process of pursuing compensation for truck accident damages, as their experience can allow the process to be handled smoothly. They will know the most efficient way to handle the claims process and how to maximize your potential for recovering fair compensation.
The following are some of the ways a truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation:
- Assess your current and future truck accident damages
- Determine who caused the truck accident
- Write the truck accident demand letter
- Collect evidence to prove your truck accident case
- Speak to witness and truck accident experts
- Negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Represent you in court
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Truck Accident Claim
The Russo Firm is a personal injury firm with lawyers specializing in helping truck accident victims recover compensation for damages. They can use their decades of experience in helping truck accident victims to handle your claim properly. We do not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to legal counsel, instead opting to shape the legal counsel plan around the specifics of your case. We can help put you in the best position to recover fair compensation for your truck accident damages with our vast resources, personalized legal counsel, and experience handling truck accident claims.
Truck accident victims can take advantage of our free consultations to see how our truck accident attorneys can help you recover fair compensation for the full cost of your damages. Contact us at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
