To see how devastating commercial truck accidents can be, one need only look at two tragic
incidents from Connecticut history.
In 1983, a tractor trailer plowed into vehicles at a Stratford toll booth on the Connecticut
Turnpike, killing seven people and injuring several more. Survivors filed claims against both the
driver, charging that he had been driving negligently, as well as the North Carolina company
which owned the truck.
Another horrific accident occurred in 2005 when a commercial dump truck lost its brakes while
descending Avon Mountain, causing a massive pileup that killed four people and injured 11
others. Lawsuits were filed against the trucking company and its insurance company.
Commercial truck accidents can cause life-changing injuries and damages, due to the size of
the vehicles and the speeds they are driven. If you or a loved one are injured in this type of
crash, a personal injury attorney who has handled these types of cases, has the resources to
pursue these type of cases, can play a critical role in determining responsibility for the accident
and pursuing fair compensation for you.
How commercial truck accidents happen
As with any motor vehicle accident, there are different factors that can lead to an accident.
Some of the most common ones in commercial trucking accidents include:
- Driver distraction or fatigue: Commercial truck drivers often work long hours, which can contribute to fatigue. They are also more to use a cell phone, eat, or otherwise engage in distracting activities while behind the wheel. This, in turn, can impair their judgment and reaction time.
- Speeding or aggressive driving: Drivers are often expected to keep strict delivery schedules, and may try to do so by exceeding speed limits, driving too fast for the weather or road conditions, or using aggressive driving maneuvers like weaving in and out of traffic. Any of these behaviors will reduce the driver’s reaction time and increase
the likelihood of a crash. - Poor vehicle maintenance: If a trucking company does not properly maintain their vehicle fleet, problems with the brakes, tires, or other critical components can lead to an accident.
- Improper loading: Cargo must be properly loaded and secured before a truck begins its journey. If this important process is not done correctly, the cargo can shift during the trip and make the vehicle more unstable and difficult to control.
- Impairment: Commercial truck accidents may occur if a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Why commercial truck accidents are so serious
Any serious vehicle accident can lead to injuries or deaths. However, crashes involving commercial trucks are often more likely to cause serious injuries or fatalities than collisions between smaller vehicles because the trucks are significantly larger than passenger vehicles, which creates greater force during a crash. The likelihood of serious injury or death also increases depending on the load it is carrying.
Certain hazards make commercial trucks more challenging to drive, which makes a crash more likely if a driver is not carefully following traffic rules. The size of these trucks means the driver’s blind spots are also larger, so the driver may have more difficulty seeing smaller vehicles. In addition, the distribution of the truck’s cargo can make it more difficult to handle, these vehicles require a longer stopping distance when a driver must react to sudden hazards.
Who might be at fault in a commercial truck accident
The defense in several parties can be held responsible in a commercial truck accident, and a thorough investigation is required to adequately determine who may be at fault. Responsibility may rest with some or all of the following:
- The truck driver: The driver can be held responsible if they were distracted, intoxicated,
or otherwise negligent when operating the vehicle. - The trucking company: This party can be held responsible if they failed to maintain the
truck, abide by safety regulations, train drivers, or otherwise reduce the risk of an
accident involving one of their vehicles. - The truck manufacturer: If a defective vehicle part led to the accident, the
manufacturer can be included in a claim. - The cargo loader: If the accident was a result of cargo being improperly loaded onto a
truck, this party can be held responsible.
Additional parties may also be found to play a role in the accident. These could include other drivers whose reckless actions contributed to a crash or a recruiting agency that hired a negligent driver.
How a personal injury lawyer can help
Due to the complexity involved in commercial truck accident claims, a personal injury attorney
with experience handling trucking accidents can provide valuable assistance. An attorney will
help investigate the crash, gather evidence in a timely manner to support a claim, find expert
witnesses, and determine appropriate damages.
The attorneys at Anderson Trial Lawyers are knowledgeable about the laws related to the
trucking industry, and in particular the regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration. These rules are designed to keep truck drivers and others on the road safe by
setting requirements for driver licensing, securing cargo, capping work hours, maintaining a
vehicle fleet, and more. An attorney’s investigation will determine if a driver or trucking company
violated these rules in an attempt to save time and money. An attorney can also help you win
appropriate compensation for your injuries by identifying all potential at-fault parties.
Let’s discuss your case
If you or a loved one have been involved in a commercial truck accident, the attorneys at
Anderson Trial Lawyers are here to assist you and your family. You can make an appointment
by using our contact form or calling us at 860.886.8845.