In America, truck drivers are one of the most integral parts of our society. Our grocery stores, department stores, and home goods stores all depend on truck drivers to get their merchandise to them on time. On top of that, truck companies also depend on their drivers to make every stop as efficiently as possible, so truck drivers very often drive their 80,000-pound vehicle over frequent 70-hour workweeks. One can see how a truck driver would feel the pressure of his or her job. Since truck drivers are under such tight time constraints, one can also see how there are so many truck accidents. If you have been injured in a truck accident in the state of Pennsylvania, here are some of the questions you may have:
What are some of the most common causes of truck accidents?
Thanks to their massive size, it is very easy for a truck driver to make a mistake. Even the tiniest misjudgment could have disastrous results. Here are some of the most prominent causes of truck accidents:
- Dangerous or defective truck parts
- Dangerous or negligent road design
- Employer negligence
- Driver negligence
- Dangerous or defective truck design
Do I qualify for compensation?
If you have been injured due to negligence on the part of the employer, the driver, or the manufacturer, there is a good chance you will be entitled to financial compensation. However, you must be able to satisfy the burden of proof first. In order to do so, you must have a firm understanding of what constitutes negligent truck driving behavior. Here are some examples:
- Excessively speeding
- Texting or using any other electronic device without hands-free technology
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving too fast around turns
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued
- Driving while eating, smoking, or navigating directions
- Unsafely changing lanes, unaware of the many blind spots trucks often have
- Failing to comply with traffic lights or signs
- Ignoring other rules of the road
You should be able to prove you that were injured due to a truck driver’s negligence if the truck driver was doing any of these things at the time of your accident. However, though you may have been injured in a truck accident, it may not have been the truck driver’s fault. The truck employer may be held responsible if:
- He or she negligently hired or trained the employee
- He or she did not ensure the truck was in roadworthy condition
- He or she improperly loaded a truck (or oversaw an improper load)
Contact our Pennsylvania firm
If you or someone you know was injured in a truck accident due to their negligence, contact the Law Offices of Ilkhanoff & Silverstein today.
