Truck Driver Negligence

Commercial truck drivers are required to carry a Commercial Driver License (CDL) among a range of other additional certifications specific to things like the type of cargo they are carrying, the weight of their vehicle, the number of trailers they are hauling at once, and more. Each of these designations requires the driver to be knowledgeable and have a clear understanding of both their vehicle and their job, but no amount of certifications will every guarantee that every truck driver will be safe and responsible on the road. There are many different ways that a truck driver can engage in negligent or reckless behavior, and can put everyone else on the road at serious risk because of this dangerous decision to abdicate their responsibilities. Getting into an accident with a semi-truck 18-wheeler can be extremely dangerous and destructive, even at low speeds that would be considered a “fender-bender” between two like-sized vehicles.

If you have been in an accident with a negligent truck driver, you deserve compensation for your injuries and the damages you have suffered as a result of their behavior. When someone fails to uphold a reasonable duty of care and causes injury as a result, this opens the door to an insurance claim (or tort claim, depending on whether or not the responsible party has an insurance policy covering the accident) intended to provide financial relief for the victim. Unfortunately, these claims can become complicated quickly, and working with a truck accident attorney is one of the best ways for a victim to ensure that they receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.

CONTACT 1-800-INJURED FOR A FREE CONSULTATION TODAY

1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. We help victims of personal injuries connect with personal injury attorneys in their area, and we will be happy to do the same for you after an accident with a negligent truck driver. Take a look at some of the examples of truck driver negligence that commonly contribute to accidents, and contact us as soon as possible to be connected with a legal professional who is ready to take your case.

COMMON TYPES OF TRUCK DRIVER NEGLIGENCE

The following are just a few of the many possible ways that a truck driver could act negligently and cause an accident. If you do not see the cause of your accident listed below, or if you are unsure of whether or not you have a case, contact 1-800-Injured as soon as possible to get clarity of your situation.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is a dangerous and reckless act for anyone to engage in, and the dangers that come with driving a 15-ton vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is extremely negligent. In fact, the federal blood alcohol concentration limit for CDL drivers (while operating a commercial vehicle) is 0.04%, half the limit of passenger vehicle drivers at 0.08%. 

Texting and Driving

As with drunk driving, texting or other distracted driving behaviors poses a serious risk to everyone on the road. At 60 mph, a truck driver taking their eyes off the road for 10 seconds to read a text message has traveled 881 feet, the equivalent of nearly 2.5 football fields. 

Speeding

Speed limits are intended to keep everyone on the road safe from a range of hazards or characteristics about the particular roadway. When city or state planners build a road and set a speed limit, the decision takes into account a number of factors including curves, merges, intersections, and more, as well as the reasonable speed at which most people can control their vehicles. Ignoring these limits is dangerous and increases the risk of an accident and the severity of an accident for everyone, including truck drivers

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving takes many forms, including things like tailgating, illegally passing, brake checking, or even making threatening gestures at another driver, among many other examples. Aggressive driving intimidates others on the road, and this is especially true when the aggressive driver is behind the wheel of a massive commercial truck or tractor-trailer. 

Improper Maintenance

A truck driver (or the trucking company, depending on the contractual arrangements between the two) is responsible for keeping a strict maintenance schedule for their vehicle. As anyone who drives a passenger vehicle knows, there is a lot of work that goes into keeping a car running — this is even more true when the vehicle in question is as complex as a semi-truck that may drive as many as 100,000 miles a year or more while hauling heavy loads. A failure to keep up with this maintenance schedule is dangerous and negligent and can lead to avoidable accidents.