Accidents involving large, commercial trucks can be extremely dangerous due to the size of these vehicles. Of nearly 5,000 large truck accident fatalities in 2020, 68% were passenger vehicle occupants. These numbers highlight the danger of an accident with a large truck.
If you suffer injuries from a large truck or commercial vehicle accident, speak with a truck accident attorney at our law firm as soon as possible. We can determine who might be liable for your crash and help you pursue compensation.
Consulting a personal injury attorney at Fieger Law can help you stand up against big trucking companies or auto manufacturers that attempt to keep you from recovering damages for your losses and bodily harm.
1. Truck Driver Liability
If a truck driver behaves negligently and causes the crash, they may be liable for your injuries.
Fatigue is a common cause of accidents, as truck drivers often work long hours with little rest. Substance abuse is another potential factor, as drivers may turn to drugs or alcohol to stay awake or cope with the stress of the job. Accident statistics from 2020 show that 3% of alcohol-related fatal crashes involved large trucks.
Distracted driving is another issue, as drivers may text or use their phones while behind the wheel. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, some form of inattention causes 80% of large truck accidents. Truckers’ awareness and attention to the road are paramount to keeping roadways safe for all vehicles.
If you’ve been in an accident involving a truck where the driver exhibited negligence, such as distracted, drowsy, or drunk driving, contacting a personal injury lawyer is essential for recovering maximum compensation for your injuries.
Call Fieger Law today to have a knowledgeable attorney review your case and seek justice to win damages for your ordeal.
2. The Trucking Company May be Liable for Your Injuries?
The trucking company may be at fault in a crash if the owners and staff have failed to train the driver adequately. The company may also be found liable if they knowingly dispatched an overloaded or improperly loaded truck to increase profitability or due to negligent oversight procedures.
The company may also be liable for failing to perform adequate background checks on the driver or adhere to federal regulations for commercial truck drivers, such as required breaks and drive time limits.
If you’ve suffered injuries due to a trucking company’s negligence, obtaining experienced legal counsel can help you recover the damages you deserve. At Fieger Law, our past results include winning verdicts of up to $30 million for our clients in vehicle accidents involving trucks.
3. Vehicle Manufacturer or Maintenance Contractor Liability
If there is a defect in the truck’s design or manufacture, it could make the truck more likely to crash. For example, if the brakes are not working correctly, the truck could suddenly fail to stop, or it may jackknife.
In addition, if the steering mechanism is faulty, the driver could have difficulty controlling the truck, causing it to tip over, jackknife, or skid. In either case, the vehicle manufacturer would be liable for any accidents resulting from these defects.
In addition, the manufacturer may also be responsible if the truck does not meet safety standards. For example, if the truck does not have adequate safety features, it could be considered unsafe and subject to recall. Modern truck safety features include:
- Rear cross-traffic alert system for alerting the driver of vehicles and pedestrians behind their truck
- Lane departure warning for a truck veering off its lane
- Adaptive braking for shorter stopping times
If a recall is issued, but the manufacturer does not take action to fix the problem, they could be held liable for any accidents that occur as a result.
Another potential cause of a crash is poor maintenance on the part of the maintenance contractor, including maintenance on the truck’s tires. For example, if a truck’s tires are flat or worn down, they are more likely to cause a blowout. Tire blowouts accounted for 18 truck accident deaths in 2019. It is essential for truck owners and operators to ensure that their tires are in good condition.
If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident where a truck manufacturer or a maintenance contractor is at fault, you may have to deal with corporations with extensive legal representation. Contacting Fieger Law can level the playing field and allow you to seek the fair compensation you deserve.
Hiring Driven Personal Injury Attorneys for Your Case
Contact the Detroit truck accident lawyers at Fieger Law if you are involved in a large truck accident. Our legal team has a successful track record of representing accident victims against large corporate entities and holding truck drivers, trucking companies, and truck manufacturers responsible for negligent behavior. We work with clients across the U.S., so no matter where your accident occurs, we can help.
Call Fieger Law today for a free consultation and learn how much your truck accident case may be worth. We work with you on a contingency basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you win.