As a driver, you never want to be involved in an accident because of the obvious reasons of how this can cause damage to your vehicle and lead to serious injury. Furthermore, depending on the type of accident, an accident has the potential to be fatal.
It’s important to fully realize why truck accidents happen. With this knowledge, you can take steps that will keep you safe.
Before we go any further, remember this: There is no way of knowing what a truck driver is thinking or what he or she will do next. For this reason, there is no guarantee that you will never be part of an accident.
Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents:
- Reckless driver. This is when a trucker drives in a reckless manner, such as by speeding or weaving in and out of traffic on the highway.
- Distracted driving. Truckers are on the road for many hours at a time. For this reason, some of them look for ways to stay busy. Unfortunately, rather than focusing on the road, they take part in distractions, such as texting friends and family.
- Drowsy driving. There are laws in place to ensure that truckers don’t stay behind the wheel for too many consecutive hours. Even so, this doesn’t mean that drivers always follow the law.
- Driving under the influence or drugs or alcohol. Both of these things can impair a person’s ability to drive safely.
- Lack of training. As you can imagine, it’s difficult to handle a big rig. Proper training, such as how to deal with safety concerns, is a must.
When a passenger vehicle collides with a truck, it’s the people in the smaller vehicle who are at risk of suffering the most serious injuries.
If you find yourself in this position, do the following:
- Receive immediate medical attention
- Learn more about the cause of the accident
- Focus on your legal rights
With the help of a truck accident attorney, you can better understand your rights and how to receive compensation from the negligent party. This isn’t an ideal situation for anyone, but you should do whatever you can to improve your life. This often means fighting for the compensation you deserve.