There are factors related to trucks and to the trucking business that increase the risk of accident and injury:
Driver fatigue—Most truckers are paid by the load, not by the hour. Accordingly, there’s an incentive to put more hours on the road. Though there are state and federal regulations limiting the amount of time on the road, these can be flouted or ignored, causing truckers to get behind the wheel without adequate rest.
Distracted driving—This isn’t unique to truckers—looking at a handheld device, adjusting the stereo, talking to a passenger, eating or grooming behind the wheel or focusing on some roadside attraction. However, when you’re hauling 80,000 pounds in a rig that can be 40 feet long, it doesn’t take much distraction to cause a catastrophe.
Substance abuse—According to some reports, up to a third of all long-distance truckers take some form of stimulant to either stay alert on the road or ease the stress. One in five drivers admitted to smoking marijuana and 3% said they had used cocaine. Whether it’s alcohol or drugs, they alter a driver’s reaction time and perceptions, increasing the risk of an accident.
Failure to use reasonable caution—When under pressure to deliver a payload, drivers can drive at unsafe speeds, make dangerous lane changes or roll through a stop sign or traffic light. With substantial weight in the trailer, a trucker may not be able to safely brake in time to avoid an accident.
Inadequate vehicle maintenance—Federal trucking regulations require daily inspections, as well as regularly maintained logs. This costs a driver both time and money, so it’s often ignored or falsified.
Careless cargo loading—If goods are not properly loaded, a trailer can easily become unbalanced and highly susceptible to rollover
Unfamiliarity with the roads—A driver may be unaware of sharp turns, narrow passageways or other factors that may make a particular route inherently dangerous
In the aftermath of a truck accident, you have the right to pursue damages for all your losses, including:
Any unearned wages resulting from your injuries
Unreimbursed medical expenses arising out of the accident
Physical and mental pain and suffering stemming from your injuries or the accident
Your loss of enjoyment of life—the ability to perform ordinary tasks of daily life or to engage in activities that you did before the accident
The loss of companionship or consortium caused by the accident, including intimate physical contact with others
Any property loss or damage caused by the accident
The Lee Law Firm will help you pursue full and fair compensation for any injuries suffered in a commercial trucking accident, from soft-tissue trauma (which can often be the most debilitating) to serious and catastrophic loss, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, paralysis, burns, broken bones, permanent scarring or disfigurement, or any loss of limb or amputation. We also represent surviving family members in wrongful death claims arising out of truck accidents.
