Automobile accidents involving cars and other small vehicles can cause serious injuries or death to the drivers involved. Accidents that involve trucks and big-rigs may be even more dangerous due to the sheer weight of the large vehicles and the loads they are often responsible for transporting. If you are injured in an accident involving a large truck, you may face serious injuries as a result.
Truck accidents often have similar causes to regular automotive incidents. They may be caused by inclement weather, poor road conditions, hazardous driving, and other common factors that are often involved in regular accidents. Due to the special design and purpose of many trucks, however, there are often additional causes that are unique to large trucks.
Operating a large transport vehicle often requires specialized training and driving skills that are not often taught at regular driving schools. Drivers must often be acclimated to the wider turning radius of trucks, maneuvering a larger automobile, and dealing with the need for increased braking distance between vehicles. If a driver does not have sufficient experience or was improperly trained, he or she may be a danger to others on the road.
If the vehicle was improperly maintained or loaded incorrectly, the truck may put other drivers at serious risk. Since trucks often log many miles and travel distances much farther than most passenger vehicles, adequate maintenance must be a priority. Faulty or worn brake systems are a common cause of truck accidents, as well as tire failure and other serious hazards caused by poor maintenance. If the merchandise was improperly loaded or incorrectly secured, the truck may be put at risk of tipping over or skidding out of control.
Deadlines and time limits that are often placed on truck drivers may cause serious impairment to their ability to effectively operate the vehicle. Many truck drivers may spend long stretches of time behind the wheel with little time to rest and recuperate. If a person is forced to drive on insufficient rest, his or her reaction time may be seriously impaired, drowsiness may set in, and reckless behavior may be displayed.
If you or someone you love has suffered injury in a truck accident, you may have reason to expect compensation for medical bills, pain, and suffering. For more information, visit the website of the Atlanta truck accident attorneys of Webb, Lindsey, Wade, Taylor & Thompson, LLC.
