Trucking accidents can be devastating. Whenever you are dealing with a vehicle that is as large as a commercial truck, you are dealing with the potential for a catastrophic accident. Most car accidents involve negligence on behalf of at least one party. While there are some similarities between trucking accidents and accidents between passenger vehicles, some typical forms of negligence that may not be present outside of truck accidents.
Vehicle Malfunction
On the road, it is possible for something to go wrong with the vehicle. Sometimes, this could be due to a manufacturer error, a mechanic error or from a lack of maintenance. Either way, when there is a serious malfunction, it can be dangerous on the road. Some common vehicle problems include:
- Tire issues
- Unsecured cargo
- Brake problems
Now, where liability is concerned, these problems could have different negligent parties. For instance, some problems with the vehicle may date back to the manufacturer itself. Sometimes, there are design defects that a third party may be liable for if there is an accident. In addition, if there are any issues that could have been solved with vehicle maintenance, it may be the trucking company’s fault. The person liable is the person who had a duty that he or she failed.
Driver Problems
Negligence on behalf of the driver is one of the most common forms of negligence behind the wheel. When it comes to truckers, some of the same forms of negligence are seen in truckers and passenger drivers. The big difference may be in the driver fatigue that trucker’s often face due to long hours. However, some other errors include:
- Following cars too closely
- Travelling too quickly in poor conditions
- Distracted by music, phone conversations or other external factors
- Use of prescription or illegal drugs
When it comes to negligence behind the wheel, anything that takes a trucker’s focus off of the road or interferes with the normal safety regulations is negligence.
If you were in an accident involving a commercial truck, it may be difficult to determine the factors that led to the wreck. For one person to figure it out on his or her own may be a lot more complicated without all of the evidence in front of you. Your best course of action after an accident is to speak with a trucking accident lawyer in Indianapolis, IN, like from Ward & Ward Law Firm. He or she may have valuable information to help you with your case. Set up your consultation with a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.