Causes of Truck Accidents
Proving Fault and Identifying the Cause of Trucking Accidents
Truck accident injury cases are often more complex than car accident cases. Establishing fault and recovering damages after a trucking accident often involves investigating violations of federal trucking regulations and conducting accident site reconstruction.
The trucking accident injury lawyers at Powers & Santola, LLP, work with skilled accident investigators and accident reconstructionists to prove fault. We review police reports, driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and environmental factors such as roadway conditions when developing a case for your financial recovery after a truck accident.
Our experience and dedication to our clients has helped us secure millions in verdicts and settlements. When you need effective legal representation, contact our upstate New York law firm. We offer a free initial consultation at our Syracuse and Albany law office.
Establishing Fault
- Truck Driver Issues: Driving a semi or tractor-trailer is exhausting. That's why federal law limits the number of hours a commercial truck driver can drive. However, fatigue is still a serious problem. Other driver-related factors in truck accidents are drug use, speeding, reckless driving, or driving dangerously for the existing road conditions. Distracted driving has also gotten a lot of attention as drivers engage in texting or cell phone use while driving.
- Trucking Company Issues: Truck companies are responsible for hiring and training of drivers, for ensuring delivery schedules are reasonable, and often for truck maintenance. Hiring poorly qualified drivers (including drivers without CDL licenses) can make the trucking company liable. Failing to maintain equipment or to use proper containment for hazardous materials (HAZMAT) can be a safety violation.
- Trucks and Equipment: Overloading a truck can contribute to equipment failures, braking problems and unstable loads. Failing to properly secure a load can result in things falling from trucks and hitting cars behind them, or a load shifting in the trailer and putting the truck off balance. This can contribute to trucks tipping or jack-knifing.
More than one party may be at fault in causing the truck accident. Your personal injury lawyer will work to identify who is at fault and who can be held responsible for paying for your serious injuries.
Contact Us
To schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced upstate New York personal injury lawyer to discuss your case, contact Powers & Santola online or call us toll-free at 866-689-9692
