Truck Accidents and Your Rights
The trucking industry transports goods across the country and generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. Large trucks, however, can also cause a great deal of harm to other drivers and passengers on the road. In fact, estimates from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) show that more than 1,000 truck crashes occur each year. Such accidents often involve other vehicles, of course, leading to the thousands of injuries and hundreds of tragic deaths. Why do so many truck accidents occur happen, and what can victims do to ensure they are compensated for their losses?
Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents
While there are many potential reasons that a truck accident may occur, many are related to driver fatigue, alcohol or drug use, and speeding. In fact, data from the FMCSA shows these as the most common causes of truck crashes – nearly 90 percent of them, to be more specific. Other factors, such as those pertaining to weather and road conditions, vehicle maintenance, and other critical reasons accounted for just 13 percent of all serious or fatal truck accidents in a recent study.
Truck Accidents Are Complex Matters
Though many accidents are attributed to driver negligence, truck crashes remain a complex matter. There can be multiple parties at fault. For example, a loading company may fail to properly secure a load, a driver error could be exacerbated by poor vehicle maintenance, or the trucking company may be negligent in checking drivers for regulation compliance, such as drug testing or monitoring of driving logs.
Following a truck accident, insurance companies are often quick to offer you a settlement for your injuries. You should never accept any personal injury settlement without legal representation. In many cases, the initial settlement offer is insufficient to cover your losses and fail to take into account possible future developments. By taking the time to speak with a qualified lawyer, you can ensure that a full investigation is done and that all responsible parties are held accountable for their actions or negligence.
Contact Our Experienced Aurora Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been injured or wrongfully killed in a truck accident, contact Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur, P.C. to discuss your case. Our Kane County personal injury attorneys will fight to protect your best interests every step of the way. We will aggressively pursue full and fair compensation because your future is our top priority. To learn more about how we can help with your case, schedule a free consultation by calling 630-907-0909 today.
Source:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/research-and-analysis/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief
