Over recent years, both the government and truck companies have pulled out all the stops to try and cut back on truck accidents. The government has enforced various laws to make trucking safer and to reduce the risk of accidents, and trucking companies have increased safety procedures as well as training and awareness for their trucking staff. However, there are now over two million more registered trucks than there were a decade ago in the United States alone, and the higher the number of trucks on the road the more likely the risk of an accident.
The reason why truck accidents are such a concern is that drivers are there to make deliveries, and most deliveries have tight deadlines. If you work in an office and you are at risk of missing a deadline you work faster. If you drive a truck and are in danger of missing a deadline, you drive faster – and this all too often leads to an accident. Truck accidents have caused many injuries including back, neck, spinal cord and even brain injuries. And, of course, truck accidents have been responsible for many deaths over the years; deaths of both the drivers and the people in other vehicles that may have been involved in the accident.
It’s not just the tight delivery deadlines that can result in a truck accident. Many trucks carry large amounts of cargo – sometimes dangerous cargo, which can result in a truck accident. Truck drivers also tend to work very long hours, and the stress and fatigue often leads to a truck accident. In fact, statistics show that trucks are involved in 1 out of every 9 road traffic accidents. And in 94% of these accidents the occupants of the vehicle with which the truck collided are either injured or killed.
There are many reasons why a truck accident might occur. Some of the more common reasons include:
These are just a handful of the more common reasons for a truck accident. Of course, a truck accident can be caused in the same way as many car accidents – through reckless driving, speeding, and mechanical faults. Another hazard of a truck accidents is in the cargo. Even if the truck accident does not involve another vehicle, a chemical or toxic spill can endanger others’ lives.
Those involved in a truck accident in any way could be eligible for compensation, and there are now many lawyers that specialize in dealing with truck accident claims. You may have been injured as the result of a collision with a truck, which was not your fault. A family member may have been killed through a truck accident. You may even be the driver of the truck and was injured through no fault of your own, such as faulty servicing. Or you may have been affected by a spill that resulted from a truck accident, where you were exposed to toxic substances. Whatever the situation, if you feel that you have been injured or affected as a result of a truck accident you may be able to make a claim.
It is advisable to seek legal assistance as soon as possible in order to determine whether you have grounds to file a claim for compensation. An experienced lawyer will be able to determine the viability of your case, and can also discuss the various legal options available to you. He or she can then put together as solid a case as possible to ensure that you are compensated for any harm or injury caused as a result of a truck accident.
You can often get legal advice for free with a free initial consultation from many law firms. So, even if you are unsure as to whether you have grounds to make a claim it is well worth contacting a lawyer to determine whether or not you have a viable case as it may cost you nothing to do this.
Thank you for choosing Lawcore.com!