Truck Accident Negligence
Large commercial trucks are needed in order to transport goods from one part of the country to another. Truck drivers are in high demand, and with long hours on the road, they can become careless and cause danger for other drivers. In a commercial truck accident case, negligence is often identified as improper licensure, deviation from safety standards, distracted driving, and driving on restricted access roads.
Improper Licensure
In order to drive a truck commercially, a driver must have a special endorsement on his or her license. If the driver has let the license expire or does not have the proper training to get the initial license endorsement, this can be considered neglect on the part of the driver and the trucking company that hired him or her.
Deviation From Safety Standards
Truck drivers are only legally allowed to drive for a certain number of hours without a break. However, in the rush to deliver goods faster, thus earning more money, some truck drivers fail to adhere to safety standards. Lack of sleep can cause a driver to drift off behind the wheel, creating a dangerous situation for any other drivers on the road. Truck drivers should log all stops and take them at the recommended intervals in order to protect innocent drivers on the road.
Distracted Driving
Driving is a task that requires total concentration. Sadly, though, too many people are distracted while driving. This poses a great risk for all other vehicles on the road. Truck drivers who text or make phone calls while driving could potentially be accused of negligence and may receive criminal charges in some states for endangering other drivers or causing an accident.
Driving on Restricted Access Roads
Some rural areas and even some major cities have roads that are off-limits to commercial trucks. Trucks may be restricted if the lanes are deemed too narrow for safe passage of a truck and another car, but some drivers may use these streets to take a shortcut, putting other drivers at risk. If an accident occurs on a restricted access road, negligence may be claimed against the driver.
Being in any type of accident is frightening and can be life-changing; however, an accident involving a commercial truck is often even scarier. If you have been the victim of a trucking accident and wonder if you have a case to bring forward, contact a truck accident lawyer, like a truck accident lawyer in Fredericksburg, VA, today to discuss your rights and the next steps to take in the legal process.
Thanks to MartinWren, P.C. for their insight into how truck drivers may be at fault in an accident.
