When people do not drive safely on the road, accidents can happen and people can become seriously hurt. Truck accidents are some of the most dangerous accidents that can happen while driving. When truck drivers are not careful and do not drive safely, they are putting everyone on the road at risk. They are the largest vehicle on the road and can weigh more than 30 times as much as a regular car. Because of their size and weight, trucks are much more difficult to navigate than smaller vehicles. If you have been injured in a truck accident, an experienced attorney in Hartford can help your case.
Types of Accidents
There are many different truck accidents that could happen on the road. Every outcome of a truck accident may be different depending on the size of the vehicle it collided with. Trucks sometimes collide with other trucks as well as smaller passenger vehicles. Some examples of truck accidents may include:
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Blind spot accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride accidents
Causes of Accidents
While accidents may sometimes happen due to poor road conditions, other times they may be a result of dangerous driving. There are several factors in truck accidents that may cause an accident. Some may include.
- Safety regulations: If a truck driver changes lanes improperly or passes other vehicles unsafely, they can violate certain safety regulations of the road. Drivers may also violate these regulations if they follow too closely behind other vehicles.
- Reckless driving: Trucks can be more difficult to control and bring to a complete stop if it is being driven dangerously or too fast. Trucks need a distance of roughly two football fields to come to a complete stop. If they are driving over the speed limit or unsafely, it can be difficult to control the vehicle.
- Poor visibility: Because of their size, trucks have a limited view of the entire road. They have large blind spots that can trap other vehicles and cause accidents.
- Drowsy driving: Federal law limits truck drivers to a certain amount of driving hours. Truck drivers are allowed to work 11 hours within a 14-hour work day, giving them a maximum of 70 hours of driving a week. If they drive longer than this, they can become exhausted and cause an accident due to tired driving.
- Mechanical problems: Like all vehicles, trucks sometimes find themselves a victim of mechanical issues. Certain mechanical issues can cause accidents. This may include tire blowouts, brake issues, breakdowns, and more.
Proving Negligence
In order to hold another party responsible for an injury in an accident, you must prove that party as negligent. Doing so requires you to show evidence that the accident happened as a result of their neglect. Many trucks have a “black box” that records the speed of a truck before the accident occurred. After the accident, it is important that this information is secured by the truck company or an insurance company before it can be deleted.
Contact our Firm
If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of a truck accident and seek legal representation, contact The Law Offices of Marc N. Needelman today.
Marc N. Needelman is an experienced attorney working throughout the state of Connecticut. Contact the law firm to set up a free initial consultation for matters, related to real estate, personal injury, criminal defense, estate planning, and more.
