Getting into a truck accident can cause serious and life-altering injuries. Trying to cope with the aftermath financially, physically, and emotionally can become overwhelming.
If you are lost and confused about what to do after you’ve been in a truck accident, you can reach out to a Miramar Beach personal injury lawyer at Fasig Brooks for help.
We will fight to ensure you receive fair compensation when you’re not at fault for your accident. To find out more information, contact our Miramar Beach truck accident lawyers for a free consultation.
What Are the Most Frequent Ways Truck Accidents Occur?
Determining the cause is a primary factor in building a solid claim. Our lawyers understand that while the cause may seem obvious, other elements can come into play. Pinpointing the causes of an accident helps us determine all the parties who can be held liable.
A majority of truck accidents are caused by driver error. However, there are many other ways that truck drivers can get into an accident with other vehicles on the road. Here are just a few examples our firm has frequently seen:
Unbalanced Loads
The cargo in a truck’s trailer is not always loaded correctly, which can cause problems for the truck driver on the road. Improperly loaded cargo can cause a truck to rock and sway unsteadily, especially when drivers make a turn.
This can cause a truck to topple over due to the lack of balance. The truck driver can’t be held liable for an imbalanced load, but the company responsible for loading the cargo can be.
Substance Abuse
Truck drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol often suffer from cognitive impairments that prevent them from fully focusing on transporting cargo. They can make mistakes on the road, which can lead to dire consequences.
Fatigue
When a truck driver doesn’t follow FMCSA regulations and neglects to take prescribed breaks, this can result in fatigue. Drowsy truck drivers are unable to focus on the road around them fully and may be slow to react to the activities of other drivers.
For example, if a truck driver dozes off at the wheel, they may wake up too late and be unable to slow down before hitting a car ahead of them. Our Miramar Beach truck accident lawyers can gather driver logs and EDR data to identify if rest period violations may have been a factor
Reckless Driving
Truck drivers should be careful and keep other car drivers around them safe. Some are more reckless than others and may change lanes without indicating, not paying attention to those driving beside them. This can make it hard for them to respond in time to cars sitting in their blind spot.
Distracted Driving
One of the worst habits that plague drivers is distracted driving. This occurs when drivers don’t pay attention to the road because they are busy on their phones. Other forms of distractions include personal grooming and eating. These activities can take a driver’s eyes off the road, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Roadway Hazards
In some instances, construction companies don’t properly clean up their area or leave items out in the open, which becomes an obstacle for truck drivers. In other cases, the road may be poorly maintained, with many cracks, potholes, and uneven pavement. These hazards can force truck drivers to swerve around them, which can cause them to crash into nearby drivers.
Equipment Failure
Trucks can have malfunctioning brakes that fail, leaving a truck driver with no way to slow down in an emergency situation. Tire blowouts can also happen, causing a driver to lose control of their vehicle. Truck drivers could also lose control of their vehicles if the steering mechanism malfunctions.
Speeding
Truckers may speed if they want to make it to their destination on time. They are required to drive slower than the speed limit to prevent them from causing an accident, but this rule isn’t always followed. Speeding can prevent a truck driver from slowing down in time to avoid an obstacle or a slow-moving or stopped vehicle.
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How Can a Truck Driver Be at Fault?
Truck drivers are at fault when they make an error on the road, either by mistake or due to negligence. When you are driving safely and following the rules and get into a traffic accident because of a truck driver, then they can be held liable for your injuries.
If you were partly at fault and contributed to the accident, you can still receive compensation. Your truck accident attorney in Miramar Beach can help determine your percentage of fault for the accident and help you get a settlement for the rest of the damages.
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What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
Here are some steps you can take immediately after a commercial truck accident:
Get Medically Evaluated
Make sure you get medical help before you speak to your lawyer so that your wounds are taken care of. Adrenaline can mask certain injuries, so even if you feel fine, you should seek a medical evaluation.
Gather Pictures and Evidence
If you are able, you can collect evidence at the scene of the truck accident. You can begin taking pictures of the damage done to your car and the truck.
You can also take pictures of the area where the accident happened while you wait for the police to show up. You can also take pictures of your injuries to show how devastating the truck accident was. If there are eyewitnesses, try to get their contact information.
Call a Lawyer
Call a truck accident lawyer in Miramar Beach and describe the accident and the damages it caused, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Let your attorney know if you have to take time off from work. This is also important because your attorney can calculate your present and future lost wages and include them in your total settlement amount.
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Contact a Miramar Beach Truck Accident Law Firm Today
After an accident with a commercial vehicle, you may find yourself facing several lawyers and insurance companies. You can immediately be put at a disadvantage without an experienced truck accident attorney.
Don’t put your compensation at risk. Seek help today. For more information, contact Fasig Brooks today for a free consultation.
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