Senior Partner
New York truck drivers could cause accidents for a number of different reasons. For example, some drivers get behind the wheel despite their fatigue. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving and could lead to a serious accident.
Many accidents are caused by speeding. Speeding can be tempting for truck drivers who will make more if they can deliver loads more quickly, but it can also be dangerous. Drunk driving is another danger. However, distracted driving has replaced it as a top cause of motor vehicle accidents, and it doesn’t just mean talking on a cellphone. Bending down to pick up an item, eating or even emotional distress can be distracting.
Although a truck may cause an accident, the driver is not always at fault. Improperly loaded cargo could destabilize the truck and make it dangerous to take sharp curves, or debris could fall off the truck and injure another driver. If equipment is not maintained, this could also lead to an accident. A brake malfunction is a particular danger since trucks carry heavy loads and need to be able to stop relatively quickly. Weather can also cause problems for truck drivers. Empty big rigs are at a greater risk for hydroplaning, and truck drivers should take precautions or even pull off the road in inclement weather.
If a truck accident occurs, it is necessary to determine who is at fault because compensation may be owed to people who are injured. If a truck driver caused the accident, the trucking company might also be considered financially liable. People who are in an accident should document as much as they can in the immediate aftermath since it can be a struggle to get insurance companies to pay adequate compensation.
