What Contributes to Liability in a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents often cause serious, sometimes fatal, injuries for victims. When drivers of large tractor-trailers cause accidents, victims are left with exorbitant medical costs and critical injuries. And occasionally, multiple factors come into play when determining negligence in a truck accident.
For example, a driver may be to blame due to fatigue, or truck companies may cut corners by hiring unqualified drivers and promoting inadequate vehicle maintenance. Either way, victims may have legal recourse when these reckless acts cause serious injury.
If you’ve sustained injuries in a truck accident in Arizona, contact our Phoenix auto accident attorneys at ELG. Our team of accident lawyers in Phoenix is here to help. After you’ve been involved in a truck accident that occurred through no fault of your own, there are a few tips for determining negligence that you should keep in mind.
Driver Negligence as a Cause of Truck Accidents
Typically, driver error is the most common reported cause of commercial truck accidents. If you’ve sustained injuries in a truck accident, it’s vital to determine the root cause. A truck driver’s negligence can contribute to an accident in numerous ways, including but not limited to:
- Truck driver fatigue
- A medical condition that rendered the driver unable to operate their vehicle
- Impairment by drugs or alcohol
- Driver distraction
- Failure to anticipate road hazards
- Violation of traffic laws
- Reckless driving
- Violation of the FMCSA’s hours of service rule in Arizona, which regulates how many hours can be driven before specific breaks are required.
Truck Company Negligence as a Cause of Big Rig Accidents
It goes without saying that truck companies are more likely to cause accidents when they don’t follow regulations but are usually liable and responsible for damages.
Furthermore, noncompliance with federal regulations is responsible for a large number of truck accidents nationwide. For example, truck safety regulations in Arizona require that a trucking company provide standard times for rest, sleep, and breaks for their drivers. Depending on a driver’s weekly hours, they must have downtime to rest and step away from their vehicle.
Fatigued truck drivers can cause serious accidents on the road due to their drowsiness. From headaches caused by sleepiness to excessive caffeine intake resulting in jittery nerves, tired truck drivers cause dangerous accidents.
Furthermore, drowsy driving results in impaired judgment and slower reaction time. Many times, trucking companies are responsible for driver fatigue. To boost profits and fulfill deadlines, companies may force drivers to ignore federally mandated guidelines. In that case, a trucking company may be liable for damages.
Truck companies may also be responsible for big rig accidents for several other reasons, including:
- Hiring unqualified drivers who have not completed the requirements for a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
- Failing to adequately train drivers to handle a large commercial truck or undergo travel for long distances.
- Hiring drivers who have previous drug or alcohol violations or a bad driving record in general.
Truck Accident Attorneys in Phoenix
If you’re injured or your vehicle is damaged in a truck accident, contact our Phoenix truck accident attorneys at ELG. Due to the nature of truck accidents and the negligent actions of many truck companies, victims must safeguard their legal rights after serious Arizona truck accidents. Call us at (623) 877-3600 for a free consultation and legal representation from our compassionate, knowledgeable attorneys today.
