It’s no secret that commercial truck accidents are especially dangerous for drivers and passengers of other vehicles, pedestrians, and others. The combination of size and weight make large trucks difficult to control under many circumstances and increase the time it takes to stop the vehicle. And, of course, the larger, heavier vehicles are likely to do more damage to people and property when they are involved in collisions.
Truck drivers may seem relatively safe within those heavy machines. In fact, most of those injured and killed in commercial truck accidents are occupants of a passenger vehicle involved in the crash. However, commercial drivers are at greater risk than you may realize.
Injuries and Fatalities in the Commercial Trucking Industry
In 2015, more truck drivers were killed on the job than workers in any other profession. 745 commercial truckers died as the result of workplace injuries or illnesses, up from 670 in 2011. Truckers aren’t just at risk for fatal events, either. The profession was ranked among the top five for days away from work due to occupational injuries and illnesses.
Both fatal and non-fatal accidents may be the result of driver negligence, including:
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Failing to signal a lane change or ensure adequate space to change lanes
- Distracted driving, including texting and driving or cell phone usage
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while fatigued
However, other factors often come into play. These additional factors impact both liability for the driver’s injury or loss of life and responsibility for harm to other drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and property. Some common factors include:
- Pressure from employers or contractors to increase efficiency by exceeding the speed limit or violating restrictions on the number of hours a driver may spend behind the wheel
- Faulty design of the truck or trailer, making it more susceptible to certain types of accidents
- Poor maintenance or faulty equipment associated with the vehicle
Each of these different factors potentially points to a different culprit. For example, where faulty design played a role in the accident, some or all of the liability may fall on the manufacturer. On the other hand, faulty maintenance may implicate the owner of the vehicle, who may be the driver, the company he is driving for, or another entity.
The many different possible explanations for a commercial truck accident can make it difficult for an injured party, whether a truck driver or someone injured by a large truck, to know who to pursue for damages and what type of evidence will be required.
For a free legal consultation, call (212) 540-2981
An Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
With a complicated web of possible causes and contributing factors in play, you don’t want to trust your commercial truck accident claim to just any attorney. It is to your advantage to work with a law firm that has the experience, knowledge, and resources necessary to thoroughly investigate the accident and potential parties. If you are a truck driver who was injured on the job or the next of kin of a truck driver killed in a work-related accident, you will also want to work with attorneys who have experience in both commercial truck accident cases and workplace injury cases.
Give yourself the benefit of our experience. Schedule a free consultation with Dansker&Aspromonte by filling out the contact form on this page, or by calling 212-540-2981 right now.
Legal Experts Can Help You Determine Liability
After a collision with a commercial truck, you may be eligible to collect compensation for your losses. But there may be numerous parties at fault, including the truck driver’s employer and part manufacturers. To ensure you hold every liable party accountable, partner with a truck accident lawyer in NYC.
Your attorney will investigate your case to identify who contributed to the accident. From there, they can collect evidence to demonstrate how the liable party caused your damages. With a legal expert by your side, you can feel confident standing up to insurance companies and all responsible parties.
Call or text (212) 540-2981 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form