ANALYZING FACTORS IN TRUCK ACCIDENT CLAIMS
When a large commercial truck loses control or the driver is negligent, people can be seriously injured and need to hire a [1]. This is a scary situation, but it’s something that occurs far too often throughout the United States. Unfortunately, those who are injured in truck accidents don’t always know what to do next. At Garrett, Walker, Aycoth, and Olson, wants to help clients understand their rights, know what to do after a truck accident, determine who is liable, and more.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
The trucking industry issues various regulations to help make sure everyone on the road is safe from dangers. These regulations are not always followed and truck accidents can be caused by a number of factors. For instance, a driver who is drunk, tired, or distracted may lose control of the truck and cause an accident.
Other factors, such as an uneven or overloaded cargo, can cause the truck to jackknife or rollover.
Who is Liable?
An important part of a truck accident claim is determining who is responsible for the accident. Because there are multiple factors involved, an investigation should be done as soon as possible.
The trucking company may also be held accountable if it failed to maintain or repair the truck, forced drivers to ignore regulations in order to beat deadlines or hired untrained drivers. Truck drivers may also cause accidents due to driving drunk or drugged, not having the proper commercial driver’s license or from driving tired after staying on the road longer than the regulations allow.
What Evidence is Needed?
Evidence in a truck accident case can come in many forms, including witness statements, an accident reconstructionist, medical professionals, images of the accident scene and / or injuries, and the truck driver’s log. In cases where a truck driver was accused of driving fatigued, we can check the log to determine if he/she had the proper number of hours on break before returning to work. If a driver works longer than he/she should, it is dangerous to all others on the road.
Steps to Take After an Accident
If you can, take pictures of the accident scene or have someone go take photos for you before evidence is destroyed. You will also want to exchange information so you know who the driver is, the company he or she works for, and any insurance coverage.
Seek medical attention if you are injured to confirm that any injuries you sustained were a result of the accident.
Finally, you should call a lawyer as soon as possible. Trucking companies have attorneys ready to handle cases as soon as something like this happens, so you need to act quickly to make sure nothing is missed.
If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a truck accident in Greensboro or throughout North Carolina, call our firm today. We are here to help you move forward, hold the responsible party accountable for their actions, and seek compensation on your behalf.
Contact our Greensboro Car Accident Lawyers today if you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident in Greensboro, High Point or Asheboro.