What You Should Know About Accidents Involving Trucks and Other Commercial Vehicles

Most people think all accidents that take place on the road or highway are essentially the same whether they involve a motorcycle, car(s), or an 18-wheeler. This is NOT the case. 

When commercial vehicles are involved in a collision, the entire nature of the accident is different. Not only can these trucks inflict an incredible amount of damage, but truck drivers are subject to different rules and regulations than the average driver.

Determining the cause(s) of the accident, establishing negligence and liability, and providing proof of fault are often very different for truck accidents than for standard car crashes.

Quick Facts about Truck Accidents

• Thousands of truck accidents occur each year in Arizona, resulting in thousands of injuries and causing untold levels of physical and emotional damage.
• Large trucks make up a small percentage of the vehicles on the road but are involved in a significantly larger percentage of crashes.
• There is no such thing as a minor “fender-bender” when your vehicle is struck by an 80,000-pound commercial truck. The extent of injury and property damage is often proportional to the large size of these vehicles.
• People whose vehicles or property are struck by large trucks are 4-5 times more likely to be injured or killed in the accident than the driver of the truck.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Driver Error

Driver error is the leading cause of truck accidents. Driver error can occur in many ways.

• Lack of training, carelessness, and driver fatigue are major contributing factors in many truck crashes.
• Many truckers regularly ignore speed limits in an effort to increase the number of loads they haul and to shorten their delivery time.
• Blind spots increase with vehicle size, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
• Drivers may fail to account for hazardous weather conditions and the limitations they place on their trucks; truck braking and control are more affected by weather than a standard vehicle.
• There may be further violations of traffic laws.

Trucking companies have an obligation to the public, including you, to make sure that their drivers are properly trained and licensed. Their failure to do so can establish negligence, and therefore liability.

Why Do I Need a Truck Accident Attorney?

Were the rules and regulations followed?

There are a host of Arizona and federal regulations that govern the operation of large trucks. Locating violations of applicable regulations can often mean the difference when establishing liability on the part of the driver and his/her company. 

For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict guidelines that determine how long truckers may stay behind the wheel. Your injury may be a direct result of the driver’s failure to adhere to these rules or others.

Finding the accountable party

Others besides the driver and his/her company may be at fault. It is not unusual for accidents to occur because of the manner in which the truck’s cargo was placed and secured in/on the truck. 

Overloading an 18-wheeler or other commercial vehicle can cause it to overturn or be operated in an unsafe manner. 

It is possible for a truck driver to have driven perfectly safely and yet still cause an accident because of cargo issues; negligence in loading cargo that can support a verdict of liability in your case.

Numerous aspects of truck accidents, and other commercial vehicle accidents make your case unique. It is essential to find an experienced Phoenix truck accident attorney who understands the special issues that arise when you suffer personal injuries in a collision with a large truck.