Truck Accident Lawyers

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can often happen due to a combination of factors. A common cause is driver fatigue, as long hours on the road can impair a trucker’s reaction time and decision-making. Distracted driving, such as using a cellphone or adjusting navigation systems, can also lead to accidents. While there are strict rules requiring truck drivers to get adequate rest and to drive safely, it doesn’t always happen.

Speeding is also a major contributor to collisions, as trucks require longer distances to stop compared to passenger vehicles. Poor vehicle maintenance, leading to issues like brake failure or tire blowouts, can also result in accidents. Additionally, bad weather conditions, such as rain, wind, or fog, can increase the likelihood of collisions.

Truck drivers and truck companies aren’t always the ones to blame. Other drivers’ actions, such as reckless driving or not giving trucks enough space, can lead to accidents.

Often, you might not know what caused your truck accident, which is why it’s useful to consult with truck accident lawyers as soon as possible after the crash. For example, you can contact Flaxman Law Group. We work with accident reconstruction experts, investigators, and other professionals who can get you answers about the cause of your accident.

What a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Do for You

A truck accident attorney can help you navigate the aftermath of a collision involving a large truck. They offer legal representation; they can help you file a legal claim, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court if your claim goes to trial.

Moreover, truck accident lawyers help you handle your case. They’ll gather and analyze evidence, such as accident reports, witness statements, and medical records, to build a strong case. They can investigate whether the truck driver or their employer violated any rules.

An attorney will also answer your questions, keep you updated about your claim, and even help you decide whether you want to file a claim. At Flaxman Law Group, we even take care of the little details, such as helping you find a rental if your car was damaged in the crash.

Who Is Responsible for My Truck Accident?

Generally, liability can fall on several parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, or even other drivers involved in the accident. The truck driver might be at fault if their actions, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, contributed to the accident. However, the trucking company could also be held liable if they failed to maintain the vehicle properly, didn’t enforce safety regulations, or pushed the driver to work excessive hours.

Sometimes, other drivers or road conditions might play a role in the accident. For example, if another motorist’s reckless driving caused the truck to swerve and crash, they could be held responsible.

Some states follow a comparative fault rule. If that’s the case for your state, then your compensation can be reduced if you’re found partly at fault for the crash. However, even if your actions contributed to the collision, you can still seek financial recovery.

It can be very difficult to determine liability on your own. You simply don’t have access to a driver’s records, a trucking company’s records, cell phone information, and other vital details. Truck accident lawyers can get this information, which can help them determine who is responsible for your injuries.

Talk to truck accident lawyers now. Contact Flaxman Law Group to speak with a legal team with experience in all types of personal injury cases, including delivery truck accidents, wrongful death claims, workers’ compensation claims, and more.

Proving Fault After Large Truck Crashes

Attorneys use several methods to prove fault in large truck crashes. They gather and review crucial evidence from the accident scene, including police reports, photographs, and witness statements. This helps establish the sequence of events and identify any immediate factors contributing to the crash.

Attorneys also examine the truck’s data, such as its black box, which records critical information like speed, braking patterns, and driver behavior. This data can reveal whether the truck was operating within safety regulations and can also pinpoint any mechanical failures.

Lawyers also review the truck driver’s logs and records to determine if the driver adhered to legal driving hours and rest periods. Additionally, attorneys might look into the trucking company’s practices, such as maintenance records and training protocols, to see if any negligence contributed to the accident.

Consulting experts, like accident reconstruction professionals, can also help clarify how the crash occurred and who was at fault.

Assigning Liability in Truck Accident Claims

Assigning liability in a truck accident case involves examining who is at fault. The process typically involves analyzing the evidence. Attorneys also assign liability by asking questions such as:

• Was the truck driver behaving in accordance with all local and federal laws and regulations, such as Hours of Service rules?
• Was the truck maintained correctly? Who was responsible for maintaining the truck?
• Was the truck driver speeding, under the influence, or otherwise acting negligently?
• Is there a history of crashes on the same stretch of road, indicating possible road condition problems?
• What did witnesses see immediately before the crash?
• Have other trucks of the same make and model been in many crashes, indicating a design flaw?
• Does the trucking company or truck driver have a history of citations or legal trouble, possibly indicating a lack of concern with safety?
• How much training and experience does the driver have?
• Was the truck driver pressured to work beyond legal limits?
• What policies does the trucking company have and how do they contribute to potentially unsafe conditions?

Assigning liability involves piecing together lots of evidence to create a clear picture of who was responsible for the accident. Truck accident lawyers will often find that there were multiple causes and multiple liable parties in your car accident. This can actually be good news, as it allows you to maximize your recovery by pursuing multiple parties.