Large trucks, weighing over 10,000 pounds, are involved in hundreds of thousands of crashes on US roads each year. In 2021 alone, there were approximately 494,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks, resulting in 5,149 fatal crashes and 110,000 injury crashes. With such a high number of truck accidents causing severe injuries and fatalities, determining liability is crucial for victims and their families seeking just compensation. When building a truck accident case, there are several factors to examine when proving liability.
Overloaded Trucks
One of the most common causes of truck crashes is overloaded trucks. When a truck carries too much weight, the brakes, tires, and stability can be compromised. This makes crashes due to issues like brake failure or rollovers more likely. In fact, data shows that rollovers account for a small but significant portion of truck crashes annually. In 2021, rollovers were the first harmful event in 4% of all fatal truck crashes and 2% of all non-fatal truck crashes.
If it can be shown that a truck was overloaded beyond legal limits at the time of the crash, the trucking company can typically be held liable. A skilled truck accident lawyer will work with professionals like accident reconstruction experts and can help determine if overloading caused or contributed to the truck crash. Thoroughly examining the trucking company’s loading procedures, weight limits, and other documentation can reveal if overloading regularly occurs. Demonstrating a pattern of overloading and evidence of overloading in the specific crash can make a compelling case for the company’s liability.
Poor Road Conditions
Another factor to examine is the role poor road conditions may have played in the accident. Approximately 54% of all fatal crashes involving large trucks in 2021 occurred in rural areas, where roads tend to be less maintained. Issues like uneven surfaces, lack of shoulders, poor lighting, and minimal signage can increase accident risks. If an accident occurs on a hazardous road, the city or state responsible for road maintenance may share liability.
Working with engineers and reconstruction experts to assess the road’s design, maintenance history, and features can help determine if poor conditions like potholes or lack of lighting contributed to the crash. If the accident occurred at a dangerous intersection, inspecting signage, visibility, and other traffic control devices can also reveal deficiencies. Demonstrating that poor road conditions were a cause of the accident and that the authority responsible did not address them appropriately can help establish liability.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Truck driver fatigue is another major factor in many truck crashes. Trucking companies may encourage drivers to push beyond safe limits, exceeding hours of service regulations that limit driving time before mandatory rest periods. If a driver had been operating the truck for an excessive number of hours leading up to the crash, the trucking company may bear responsibility.
Examining driver logs, work schedules, and other records can provide evidence if a fatigued driver caused the crash. Demonstrating a pattern of overworking drivers beyond legal limits can also help establish liability. Trucking companies are expected to ensure drivers follow regulations and are provided adequate resting time between shifts. Violating these rules and putting fatigued drivers on the road can make them negligent.
Proving liability in truck accident cases requires a thorough investigation into factors like overloading, road conditions, driver fatigue, and more. Your attorney will work with experts in accident reconstruction, engineering, and analysis while extensively documenting evidence to help establish what factors caused the crash. Demonstrating how trucking companies, drivers, municipalities, or other parties failed to meet legal duties or safety standards through these efforts is key to obtaining a successful outcome in a truck accident case. With so much at stake for those injured, holding the responsible parties liable is critical.
