Trucks are large, heavy vehicles, and when they aren’t handled with care and responsibility, serious accidents can occur, often leading to fatalities. The unfortunate reality is that the trucking industry is often more concerned with profits than safety. Here’s how this often plays out:
Overworking Drivers
Companies within the trucking industry are often under tremendous pressure to maximize profits, which can lead to pushing drivers to work long hours. Despite regulations like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Hours of Service limits, some businesses may still implicitly or explicitly encourage their drivers to drive beyond these limits. This perpetuates a cycle of chronic fatigue among truckers who spend extended periods on the road without sufficient rest.
Fatigue decreases a driver’s ability to react quickly, increases the chance of falling asleep at the wheel, and generally impairs judgment. When truck drivers are overworked and tired, they pose a serious risk on the roads – not just to themselves but also to everyone else on the road, including pedestrians and cyclists.
Inadequate Training for Drivers
Efficiency and cost-saving measures sometimes lead trucking companies to pare down training programs, pushing new drivers onto the road before they’re truly ready. Adequate training is vital; it not only involves mastering vehicle operation but also learning about safety practices, load balancing, vehicle inspection routines, and emergency maneuvers.
When inexperienced or improperly trained drivers are behind the wheel of a large commercial vehicle like an eighteen-wheeler, the risk of making deadly errors increases dramatically. For example, insufficiently trained truckers may lack necessary defensive driving knowledge which helps them navigate complex traffic situations or inclement weather conditions.
Neglecting Vehicle Maintenance
Properly maintaining a commercial truck fleet is crucial for safe operation, but maintenance tasks can sometimes be sidelined to save money. Maintenance is sometimes overlooked due to time constraints as well, as any time the truck is being worked on and isn’t on the road, the company is essentially losing out on making money.
Regular maintenance ensures that essential mechanical systems – think brakes, tires, steering components, and lights – are functioning correctly. When trucks aren’t serviced regularly or properly, this significantly increases the likelihood of breakdowns while driving, causing accidents as a result.
The Importance of Working With a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident and believe it was caused by someone else’s negligence – like the truck driver’s or the trucking company’s – one of the most important things you can do is contact a truck accident lawyer. If you’ve experienced injuries and are dealing with hospital bills, lost wages, or emotional injuries, you could be entitled to significant compensation if you can prove that someone else caused the accident.
A Las Vegas truck accident lawyer can do this by investigating the crash, speaking with witnesses, looking into the trucking company’s maintenance and driving records, and reviewing police reports.
With legal representation by your side, you stand a much better chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve. Let them handle the legal issues so you can focus on what truly matters – your recovery.
For help after a truck accident, contact us to schedule a free consultation.