Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Some accidents are unavoidable, but many collisions involving large trucks are preventable. Truck drivers and their employers are responsible for observing state and federal regulations aimed at minimizing accidents. When they fail to do so, the results can be catastrophic for other motorists.

Read on to learn about some common factors that contribute to tractor-trailer accidents, or contact our office for a free consultation.

Defective Trucking Equipment

Many truck accidents are the result of a failure to properly maintain truck parts and equipment. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident caused by negligent maintenance or faulty truck parts, the attorneys at the Christiansen Law Offices are here to stand up for your rights.

We have extensive experience helping personal injury accident victims throughout Las Vegas and the surrounding areas. Our attorneys have a thorough understanding of the laws and regulations governing the trucking industry, which helps us win results in truck accident injury lawsuits.

Faulty Truck Maintenance Causes Accidents

There are many parts and systems that must be routinely inspected and maintained for a truck to operate safely. We handle a wide range of defective truck equipment lawsuits, including those caused by:

• Defective brakes
• Defective tires (tire blowouts)
• Defective underride protection
• Defective steering
• Unsafe trailer hitches or coupling devices

Truck accidents caused by defective equipment can be the fault of the manufacturers, the trucking company or even the truck driver. Our trucking accident attorneys will conduct a thorough examination of your case to determine who was at fault and how negligence contributed to your injuries.

Overloaded Trucks and Unsecured Loads

One of the most common causes of semitrailer accidents is trucks that have overloaded or unsecured loads. Federal regulations strictly limit the amount of weight a truck can carry and the way in which that weight is distributed. When trucking companies fail to follow these guidelines, innocent lives are put at risk.

In the pursuit of profit, trucking companies will sometimes try to overload their trucks with as much cargo as possible. Negligent trucking company practices such as this are dangerous and can result in serious personal injury accidents.

An overloaded truck:

• Makes it difficult for drivers to brake in time to avoid collisions
• Can cause the truck to roll over or jackknife
• Causes undue wear and tear on the mechanics of the truck, often making it unsafe for the road
• Can result in items spilling out of the truck, causing highway hazards

If you have been injured in a truck accident caused by an unbalanced or unsecured load, it is important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer stand up for your rights. Our attorneys know how to investigate truck accidents to determine who is at fault and how negligence contributed to the accident. We are prepared to help you obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other losses.

Truck Driver Fatigue

To safely operate an 18-wheeler or any other large truck, drivers must be alert. When drivers push their bodies past their natural limits to make deadlines and increase profits, the lives of others on the road are put at risk.

Federal regulations limit the number of hours a truck driver can work. When these regulations are violated, overworked, stressed and tired drivers put innocent lives at risk.

Without enough rest, a truck driver may not be able to react in time to a hazard in the road. Seriously overworked drivers may fall asleep at the wheel. In some cases, drivers resort to drug use to push themselves through a shift, a practice that is also extremely dangerous.

In investigating a truck accident case, we may seek evidence in driver logbooks, electronic onboard recorders, GPS devices, hotel receipts, cellphone logs and other sources that give us information about the hours the truck was in service. Our lawyers have extensive experience handling truck accident cases and know how to win results for accident injury victims.

Trucking Company Negligence

In the pursuit of profit, trucking companies sometimes skirt regulations and cut corners on safety. This type of negligence can lead to trucking accidents and leave innocent victims with serious personal injuries.

Trucking companies must abide by federal laws governing interstate traffic. These laws cover a wide range of topics relevant to trucking company negligence, including:

• Hiring practices: Trucking companies must perform due diligence in the hiring of drivers, ensuring they are licensed and trained to operate large trucks.
• Maintenance: There are strict regulations and procedures in place for the inspection and maintenance of 18-wheelers and other large trucks. Failure to comply with these laws puts truck drivers and other motorists at risk.
• Driver fatigue: Trucking companies cannot overwork their drivers or force them to drive without adequate sleep.
• Weight limits: An overloaded truck is a highway hazard. It is more difficult to steer, brake and make other driving maneuvers in a truck that is over the legal weight limit.

Our attorneys are well-versed in the laws governing interstate commercial traffic. We are prepared to investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine causation and liability. Helping you obtain financial compensation for your losses is our highest priority.

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If you or someone close to you has been injured in a truck accident caused by faulty maintenance, we are here to help. Contact us today online or by telephone at 702-570-9262 to speak with an experienced Las Vegas, Nevada, personal injury lawyer.