Louisville Truck Accident Lawyer

How Commercial Truck Accidents Happen

A commercial truck crash could occur for the same reasons as any other vehicle accident. Truck drivers could cause a collision with a passenger vehicle by speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or changing lanes without signaling.

That said, there are accident factors that are unique to commercial truck collisions. For example, truck accidents are common when the commercial vehicle involved in the crash is overloaded. Overweight trucks are harder to bring to a halt and can cause more damage due to their increased mass.

Fatigue is especially problematic for truck drivers as well. While fatigue can impact any motorist, commercial drivers are more likely to spend long hours behind the wheel in an effort to finish a delivery on time. Drivers that ignore federal regulations regarding rest breaks are especially likely to cause a crash.

Commercial trucks are also known to jackknife. This type of accident happens when the cab of the truck and the trail travel in two different directions. This causes the commercial truck to fold in on itself in the shape of a folding knife. A jackknifing truck could slide across multiple lanes of traffic, causing multiple accidents along the way.

Legal action could be available regardless of the specific nature of a truck crash. As long as negligence occurs, a truck accident attorney in Louisville could help an injured motorist seek compensation.

Pursuing A Legal Claim

Most of the time, a truck accident will result in a legal claim against the negligent truck operator. This is understandable given that it is often the actions of a truck driver that cause these collisions to occur. There are other potentially liable parties in a truck accident that Louisville lawyer could work to identify.

In many cases, a plaintiff will also file suit against the truck driver’s employer. This is possible so long as the truck operator was working within the scope of their employment at the time of the crash. A claim against the trucking company could also be viable if they were negligent in the maintenance of the vehicle, their hiring of drivers, or the loading of the trailer.

It is also possible to pursue a claim against parties that were not directly involved in the crash. This includes a manufacturer of defective truck parts or a government entity that fails to ensure the roadway was safe to drive on.

It is not unusual for trucking accidents to cause devastating injuries for everyone involved. If you have sustained severe bodily injuries due to the negligence of a truck driver, you have the right to pursue legal action against them.

Do not take on your legal claim on your own. Contact a Louisville truck accident lawyer right away for guidance.