It is an unfortunate fact that any crash involving a semi-truck and a car usually involves severe injury or death for those in the car. This should come as no surprise since even driving alongside or passing an 18-wheeler is stressful. Drivers are all too familiar with their loud diesel engines, high cabs, and large trailers loaded with tons of payload.
Why trucks cause crashes
Trucks on the road are a crucial contributor to that risk we take when we commute to work or take a trip by car. Many accidents involving a truck can be attribute to one or more of the following causes:
- Distractions: Distracted driving is a problem of epidemic proportions involving drivers of all types of vehicles. However, trucks are hard enough to operate when paying attention, and much harder to course correct when the driver takes their eyes off the road to look at their smartphone or navigational system.
- Inexperience: Driving a truck is a demanding job that involves a lot of time alone, long hours and time away from home. This leads to high turnover of drivers and trucking lines are constantly hiring new drivers. Despite having a commercial driver’s license, there is no replacing driver experience, especially when something unexpected happens.
- Improper loads: Drivers may get stuck with an improperly loaded trailer, which can lead to shifting cargo, jackknifes or longer braking distances.
- Driving while drowsy: Despite regulations limiting hours behind the wheel, drivers often push themselves to earn extra pay or meet unrealistic deadlines.
- Addiction: The job demands mean that truckers are more likely to turn to drugs to stay awake or to help pass the time. This leaves them impaired, tired or both.
The Trucking Industry fights to keep settlements down
Truck lines keep attorneys on retainer who may even show up at an accident site before cleanup begins. They may then try to quickly offer a settlement. Victims and their families are best served if they do not sign any agreements before hiring their own attorney to determine the scope of the injuries and damages. If you or a loved one have been injured by a truck driver, the attorneys at Goldstein, Ballen, O’Rourke & Wildstein, P.C. are experienced and prepared to help you navigate the claims process so that your interests are protected.