Vehicle accidents are among the most common types of accidents in today’s day and age. These types of accidents can all be quite severe and even deadly, but truck-involved accidents are usually the most consequential, from both the health and legal perspective. If the right measures are not taken, the after-effects of a truck accident can become quite complicated. According to a 2017 report, over 4,000 people had been victims of fatality in severe truck crashes, a number which has been increasing over the years. 

 

Why do truck accidents occur in the first place?

 

Driving any massive commercial truck is a challenging job, very different from driving a standard car. Truck drivers are all required to get a special truck driving license and go through special training to even get behind the wheel. 

 

Many truck accidents occur on narrow roads that are not able to accommodate huge vehicles. A truck can become unwieldy on roads like this, leading to loss of control and potential collision. 

 

Accidents can also be caused by the faults of the driver of the truck, as well. If a driver fails to stay aware and mindful, or is not well trained, they can end up losing control and getting in an accident. 

 

Some other common causes of truck accidents include distraction to the driver, like radio or stereo in the vehicle, animals on the road, or the adjusting of car mirrors while on the road. Many truck collision victims choose to hire a Personal Injury Lawyer every year to help them with the legal aftermath of being involved in a truck collision.  

 

Reasons behind commercial truck accidents

 

Approximately 70% of trucks on the road are driven for commercial purposes. These are used to transfer goods for different businesses or for trading purposes, with strict regulations on how much load and types of goods they can carry. These drivers are licensed and provided with specific training. There are also extra safety measures for commercial vehicles, such as having driving time schedules to avoid tiredness. Despite many safety precautions, accidents still occur. Here are two main reasons why they might happen: 

 

  • Exhaustion 

Trucking agencies must often meet timelines when it comes to transporting goods, which can lead to drivers working overtime. Some companies might encourage a certain amount of speeding and make drivers adhere to tight schedules. Lack of sleep or continuous hours of driving can lead to careless faults. It could be drifting off the road, not hitting the brake on time, or breaking through a line. Driving extra miles may result in more deliveries of goods and keeping drivers and agencies on schedule, but it can also result in dangerous consequences.

 

  • Lack of training 

 

The second reason is that commercial drivers meet accidents due to a lack of training in things such as driving techniques, defensive driving, and safety. As stated previously, trucks are difficult vehicles to drive, and it is up to the trucking companies to properly train their drivers.

 

Who is involved in a truck accident case?

 

When a typical auto accident happens, it is classified as either a single party accident or a dual-party accident. This typically only includes the people physically involved in the accident and their insurers. However, if the crash includes a commercial truck, there might be many more parties involved such as:

  • Truck driver

  • Helper/assistant 

  • Insurance company

  • Trucking company

  • Mechanic or repairing garage

  • Manufacturer

  • Employer of the truck driver

  • Contractor


 

Liability for a truck collision

 

The first thing that will be considered by the legal department is liability. Knowing who is liable for the crash is vital because the case evaluation and decisions to follow will be based on it. How the liability will be evaluated is basically based on the conditions of the accident, but the specific regulations will vary from state to state. In some states, the percentage of the accident for which you are at fault can be determined. In the other states, the regulation states if you, as a driver, are responsible for the collision, then you cannot receive compensation at all. 

 

Is consulting with a lawyer a good decision?

 

Many people might hesitate with this decision, but it is recommended to hire a lawyer. A truck accident can be much more complicated and take much longer to settle than a standard vehicle accident. If it is a commercial truck accident, the insurance agencies may use their vast networks and resources to lower your compensation amount and make your case more difficult.


Make your truck accident claim process easier by contacting a Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer at The Law Offices of Samuel Fishman. We can evaluate your case and the extent of loss in your accident accurately. Our years of experience in this industry have made us efficient enough to handle a wide array of truck accidents and other injury cases. We will do everything in our power to make sure you get the fair compensation amount that you deserve.