Truck accidents and other types of commercial vehicle accidents can wreak havoc on the lives of victims and their families. Victims of truck accidents should know about the different legal resources that exist to help them when they have been harmed in a truck accident or other commercial vehicle accident.
Common causes of truck accidents
When a truck driver causes a truck accident, there are several common causes which can include:
- Inadequate driver training, including inadequate driving technique training, inadequate training related to safety concerns and inadequate defensive driving training.
- Systems of compensation that pressure, encourage or reward truck drivers and other commercial vehicle drivers for driving at higher rates of speed or for longer consecutive hours than is advisable under normal conditions.
- Unrealistic schedules and expectations that pressure, encourage and reward truck drivers and other commercial vehicle drivers for ignoring safety risks despite the possible consequences.
Liability for truck accidents
When a victim has been involved in a truck accident, different parties may be liable for the damages and harm they have suffered. In some circumstances, both the truck driver and the trucking company may be liable for the damages the truck accident victim has suffered. In others, only the truck driver may be liable for the harm suffered by victims. It depends on the relationship between the truck driver and trucking company.
Victims of negligent truck drivers and truck accidents may be able to recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional injuries. Being aware of those important protections is essential for truck accident victims and their loved ones.