Truck Accident Lawsuit: Much Evidence to Cover

York, MEAlthough many people believe that truck accidents are the same as car accidents but involving larger vehicles, when it comes to the law, that simply is not true. There are different rules that govern tractor-trailers, including who can drive them, how long that person can drive at a time, how the trucks must be maintained and how the truck is loaded. Violations of such rules can affect who is liable in a tractor-trailer accident.

For example, the driver of a tractor-trailer involved in an accident at the York tollbooth has been cited for a number of violations including falsifying his logbook and operating a vehicle with safety violations. His truck was also overloaded with lumber when the accident occurred. Luckily, according to WCAX news, the people in the other vehicle were not seriously injured in the accident.

However, the number of citations given to the driver shows that there is a lot to consider when determining fault in a truck accident. For example, falsifying logbooks is an indication that a driver has been driving too many hours and not taken the hours of break time required by law. While the driver may be at fault for this, it is possible that the company he hauls for has overscheduled him, making it nearly impossible to take the required breaks.

Having an overloaded truck can also play a role in causing truck accidents. Trucks that are too heavy are more difficult to maneuver and take a longer time to stop. That makes it much more difficult for the truck driver to stop suddenly if necessary. It is illegal for truck drivers to carry overweight loads.

Other factors that can cause truck accidents include aggressive or reckless driving, sleep deprivation, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, defective brakes, improperly maintained equipment and unsteady loads. Common types of tractor-trailer accidents include head on collisions, rear end collisions, center lane crossovers, lane change collisions and jackknifed trucks.

Determining fault in a truck accident can take a great deal of time and investigation. Just because a tractor-trailer is involved in an accident does not mean that the truck driver was at fault. There are many other factors that can cause truck accidents, including how other vehicles were maneuvering around the tractor-trailer at the time of the accident. Many drivers do not know how to share the road with large trucks, which can lead to devastating accidents. Third parties who drive recklessly around tractor-trailers causing accidents can also be held liable for damages caused by the accident.

Unfortunately, people who are in smaller vehicles involved in accidents with tractor-trailers are the ones who most often pay the price with serious injuries. It is important to speak with someone who is familiar with the rules and regulations governing tractor-trailers to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to if you are involved in an accident with a large truck.