The Dangers of Semi Truck Accidents
The roads are filled with passenger vehicles driven by people who are traveling to and from work, school, and other events. These vehicles must share the road with larger and heavier commercial trucks that are delivering goods and cargo. When an accident occurs between these two types of vehicles, the results tend to be catastrophic.
Semi truck accidents injure and kill thousands of people a year. In the aftermath of a semi-truck accident, truck accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau gather the evidence necessary to prove liability so that our clients in the Daytona Beach, FL, and Palm Coast, FL, area can be justly compensated for accident damages.
What Is A Semi Truck?
There are several different types of commercial trucks on the road at any given time. A semi-trailer, which is more commonly referred to as a semi truck, is a combination vehicle that is made up of a powered truck and one or more tractor trailers built for hauling.
Semi trucks vary in size and weight, based on how many trailers they haul and how much cargo is carried. A fully loaded semi truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is substantially heavier than the average passenger vehicle, which weighs around 4,000 pounds.
Causes of Semi Truck Accidents
Just like any other type of collision, semi truck accidents can be caused by many different factors. The majority of truck accidents are linked to driver error, but vehicle malfunctions and poor road conditions are also to blame in some cases.
Driver Errors
Driver errors account for an overwhelming number of commercial truck accidents. A semi truck’s size and weight makes it more difficult to maneuver, and it nearly doubles the amount of time it takes to bring the vehicle to a stop. Without proper training, skill, and attention, a driver error can easily lead to a truck accident.
Driving practices that are commonly cited as the cause of a truck accident include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Switching lanes without checking blind spots
- Following too closely
- Driving under the influence
- Failing to properly secure cargo
Vehicle Malfunctions
Vehicle malfunctions are another common cause of truck accidents. Semi trucks can travel over 600 miles in an 11-hour work day. The amount of travel, along with the weight of carried cargo, puts a lot of wear and tear on these vehicles.
Semi trucks should be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. If trucking companies neglect routine maintenance, vehicle malfunctions like brake failures, power steering issues, and tire blowouts can lead to a truck accident.
Road Conditions
Road conditions are not often the sole cause of a semi truck accident, but they can certainly contribute to a crash. When roads are wet and icy, or when damage is present, it makes it even more difficult to maintain control of these large vehicles.
Proving Liability for a Semi Truck Accident
Semi truck accidents frequently result in catastrophic damages for those involved. The person or party who is responsible for the crash should be held liable for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, proving fault for a truck accident can be complex, especially since liability may be shared by multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and/or a vehicle or parts manufacturer.
To prove accident liability and maximize compensation for damages, drivers in the Daytona Beach area should work with the truck accident attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau. Our lawyers work alongside experts in the field to gather the evidence necessary to demonstrate the cause of an accident so that responsible parties can be held accountable for resulting losses.
Contact Our Practice
If you have been injured in a semi truck accident, the lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau can help you pursue compensation for crash damages. To discuss the details of your collision and consider your best course of legal action, send us a message online, or call our practice at (386) 258-7313.