Truck Accident Attorneys Crown Point

Americans rely on semi-trucks to transport essential goods. They are part of the backbone of the American way of life and the economy. However, they can cause significant damage. In 2019, 5,005 individuals lost their lives in large-truck crashes. In the same year, 118,000 large trucks were involved in injury crashes, up five percent from 2018.

Unfortunately, you can’t control the behaviors of truck drivers or trucking companies, but you can hire truck accident attorneys in Crown Point to represent you in your truck accident claim. 

Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents result from many different situations. Many times, truck driver or trucking company negligence is to blame. The most common causes are:

• Distracted driving: Truck drivers spend long hours on the road. To help kill the boredom, they might use their phone or other electronic devices. They might bring a partner or pet to help pass the time or even eat or drink. The problem with all of these activities is that they take the driver’s attention away from the road, increasing the risk of a serious accident significantly. 
• Driving while under the influence: Some truck drivers turn to alcohol or drugs while on the road. They are impacted in the same way passenger vehicle drivers are by these substances.
• Lack of truck maintenance or repairs: Truck drivers and trucking companies must inspect, maintain, and repair their vehicles on a regular basis. Doing so requires time and money, and therefore it sometimes gets skipped or not done as frequently as it should be. 
• Drowsy driving: The faster a trucker can deliver a load, the more money they can make and the quicker they can get home. The trucking industry also puts a lot of pressure on drivers to make deliveries quickly so they can move on to the next. When truck drivers aren’t adhering to federal standards regarding rest periods and how much they can drive in a 24-hour period, they often drive while drowsy and can fall asleep at the wheel. 

Liability in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can present additional challenges when it comes to who is liable for your injuries. When a passenger vehicle causes an accident, it’s typically the driver who is liable. In a truck accident, it’s not always just the truck driver. The trucking company that owns the truck, the people responsible for loading the truck, other drivers, and even municipalities could be liable for your injuries. It’s crucial to have an experienced truck accident attorney on your side if you’ve been injured in a truck accident.