Even though truck drivers are responsible for the lives of those they share the road with, sometimes they act recklessly. Truck drivers can make mistakes due to sheer exhaustion, intoxication, or even small distractions. Sometimes truck accidents are out of their hands and can be blamed on their company or team members. When you get into an accident caused by truck driver negligence, you could be facing tens of thousands of dollars in damages. However, your injuries should never be overlooked. You can get help from a legal team that is on your side. Call Meyers Injury Law now for a free consultation with Nashville truck accidents lawyers. Truck driver negligence can take many forms, but some of the most common types include:
Fatigued Driving
Truck drivers may be required to drive for long hours without taking adequate rest breaks, leading to fatigue and impaired driving abilities.
Distracted Driving
The commercial trucker may become distracted by cell phones, navigation systems, or other devices, taking their attention away from the road and increasing the risk of an accident.
Speeding
Sometimes truck drivers may exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for the road conditions, making it difficult to stop quickly or react to sudden changes.
Improper Maintenance
Truck drivers may fail to properly maintain their vehicles, leading to mechanical problems that can cause accidents.
Overloaded Or Improperly Loaded Cargo
The truck company employees may overload or improperly load cargo, leading to a loss of control of the truck or trailer.
Intoxicated Or Impaired Driving
Truck drivers may operate their vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, impairing their ability to drive safely.
Violations Of Traffic Laws
In some cases, truck drivers may violate traffic laws, such as running red lights or failing to yield to other vehicles, leading to accidents.
How My Attorney Can Prove That The Other Party Is At Fault
There are several ways that your personal injury attorney in Nashville can prove truck driver negligence, including:
Gathering Evidence
Your attorney can collect evidence from the accident scene, including photos, witness statements, police reports, and the driver’s logbook or electronic logging device (ELD), to determine whether the driver was negligent.
Investigating the Driver
Truck accident lawyers can investigate the driver’s background, including their driving history, drug and alcohol use, and training to determine whether they were negligent.
Consulting Experts
Our law firm can consult with experts, including accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and trucking industry experts, to determine whether the driver was negligent and to provide testimony in court.
Analyzing Maintenance Records
Your attorney can analyze the truck’s maintenance records to determine whether the driver or their employer failed to properly maintain the vehicle, leading to mechanical failures that caused the accident.
Reviewing the Driver’s Employment Records
Truck accident lawyers can review the driver’s employment records to determine whether the driver was overworked, undertrained, or underqualified for the job, leading to negligence on their part.
How Another Party Might Be Held Liable For My Truck Accident
There are several third-party reasons a truck accident may have happened that weren’t the truck driver’s fault. Some of these reasons include:
Manufacturer Defects
If a truck or one of its parts has a manufacturing defect, it may fail and cause an accident. In this case, the truck manufacturer may be held liable for the accident.
Maintenance Issues
When the truck or its parts were not properly maintained, it could lead to a mechanical failure and cause an accident. In this case, the maintenance company or mechanic may be held liable.
Cargo Loading
Improper loading of cargo can cause a truck to become unbalanced or unstable, leading to an accident. In this case, the cargo loader or shipper may be held liable.
Local Government
Poor road conditions or inadequate traffic signals can also cause accidents. In this case, the local government responsible for maintaining the road may be held liable.
Other Drivers
Sometimes, accidents involving trucks are caused by the negligence of other drivers on the road. In this case, the other driver may be held liable for the accident.
Trucking Company
The trucking company may be held liable if they failed to properly train their drivers or allowed them to drive for excessive hours, leading to fatigue or other issues that contributed to the accident.
What To Do After A Truck Accident
If you are involved in a bad accident with a truck driver, there are several steps you should take to protect your health and your legal rights:
Call 911
Call 911 and report the accident. The police will investigate the accident and prepare a report, which can be useful in establishing liability later. An ambulance will also arrive to help anyone with injuries.
Seek Medical Attention
If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured, seek medical attention right away. Even if you feel fine, it’s essential to get checked out by a healthcare professional, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Gather Evidence
Take photos of the accident scene, including the damage to the vehicles, any skid marks on the road, and any other relevant evidence. Also, get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
Tell Your Insurer
Let your insurance company know what happened and that you weren’t at fault.
Contact an Attorney
Contact an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights, investigate the accident, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Preserve any physical evidence related to the accident, such as damaged clothing or personal items, and keep records of any expenses related to the accident. Make sure you share this with your attorney so they can help you obtain fair compensation. Contact Meyers Injury Law today for a free consultation.
