If you have been in minor car accidents before and are also the victim of a truck accident, you may think that these two types of accidents are not in the same universe. While it is true that a car accident can do serious, life-altering damage, it is less likely that you will walk away from a truck accident without severe injuries simply because of the nature of the accident. If you are considering filing a personal injury claim, understanding the different causes of these types of truck accidents can be beneficial to you.
Why do truck accidents happen?
There are many reasons a truck accident could happen, whether it is the truck driver’s fault or someone else’s.
- The truck driver was simply negligent. This could mean that they were not paying attention to the weather, the road signs, other cars around them, or simply flew around a curve so quickly they hit another car. Truck drivers have a huge responsibility on the road but are still prone to error.
- The driver was fatigued. Most people know that truck drivers work long hours and are pushed to get their delivery to the final destination on time. This can mean they do not take the time to stop for a rest or to break up their trip. Fatigued driving has similar symptoms to driving impaired, including a reduced reaction time to things on the road, swerving, and poor judgment.
- The truck was not maintained properly. The truck driver may not be responsible for the accident but the trucking company might. If the trucking company does not maintain the truck and make sure it is safe to go on the road, or if the truck is carrying a much heavier load than it should, it is possible for the truck driver to lose control of the truck.
It can be hard to determine who is responsible for the accident, especially when it could be the truck driver or the trucking company. If you believe you have a personal injury claim after this kind of accident, it can help to speak with an attorney, like a San Francisco, California truck accident lawyer from a law firm like The Morales Law Firm. Truck accident claims can be tricky because different parties may be pointing the finger at each other which may make it harder to determine who was truly a fault for the accident. A local attorney can help you with this.