Any accident with a big truck usually results in serious personal injury or death because of the massive size and weight of the truck. Smaller passenger vehicles simply don’t stand much of a chance when a truck crashes into them or vice versa. Some of the most common causes of accidents with big trucks such as 18-wheelers and dump trucks include:

• Speeding
• Blind spots
• Tailgating
• Not leaving enough room for turns
• Passing too closely
• Runaway trucks
• Overloaded trucks
• Unevenly loaded trucks
• Driver fatigue

It is highly recommended that if you are involved in an accident with a big truck, you seek out the legal advice of an experienced big truck accident lawyer.

Liability in Truck Accident Cases

Several parties can be held liable in big truck accident cases. For instance, if the truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and caused the accident, the trucking company may be held liable for forcing the driver to adhere to a rigid schedule with very little breaks to sleep. Truck companies usually have a team of lawyers on hand to fight these cases, so it’s crucial that you, too, have an experienced big truck accident lawyer on your side. Your attorneys can be sure to gather the evidence quickly and effectively so it stays with your case and is not lost or contaminated. Cheap Maryland Bankruptcy Lawyers

Truck drivers work long hours and are often pressured by their employer to complete their routes by any means necessary. That results in shortcuts that amount to negligence. Drivers are required to follow strict regulations involving time on the road, number of breaks, and weight of the load they carry.

Under the law, a trucking company can be held liable for the negligence of its drivers. In some cases, gross negligence can be found.

Precautions to Avoid Accidents

Before getting into their truck, a driver is required to perform a pre-trip inspection so that when they start the truck, they are doing so with the belief that everything is safe. Inspections include periodic brake checks, including caliper settings, hydraulic, pneumatic and air brakes, as well as a trailer load that is properly secured and loaded. Getting adequate sleep and rest time in accordance with federal laws is also required but not always followed. If they fall short, each and every car on the road is at risk of being involved in a big truck accident. These requirements apply to all interstate drivers. The failure to follow any of these rules and regulations can be considered negligence on the part of the driver.