Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries and fatalities, often due to the negligence of truck drivers, trucking companies, or other parties involved. Identifying signs of neglect is crucial in determining liability and obtaining compensation for injuries and damages. In such cases, one should hire a Houston 18-wheeler accident lawyer.
Negligence can take many forms, such as driver fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, or poorly maintained trucks. Understanding the signs of negligence in truck accidents can help you build a strong case and hold responsible parties accountable. It would help if you knew the common signs of neglect in truck accidents and how to identify them to protect your rights and seek justice.
Identifying key signs of negligence in truck accident cases:
- Driver fatigue
Driver fatigue is a significant cause of truck accidents, and signs of fatigue include:
- Swerving or drifting out of lanes.
- Nodding off.
- Failing to respond quickly to traffic signals.
Truck drivers are required to follow hours-of-service regulations that limit the time they can spend on the road without taking a break, and failure to follow these regulations can lead to fatigue and accidents. Signs of negligence may include records indicating that a driver exceeded hours-of-service limits or evidence of drug or alcohol use that can impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
- Speeding
Signs of negligence concerning speed may include eyewitness accounts of a truck traveling too fast for the road conditions or skid marks indicating that the driver could not stop in time to avoid a collision. Truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible for operating their vehicles safely and complying with traffic laws and speed limits. Failure to do so can result in severe accidents and injuries and may be evidence of negligence in a personal injury case.
- Poorly maintained trucks
Poorly maintained trucks can be a significant hazard on the road, and signs of negligence in this area may include evidence of inadequate maintenance or repairs or failure to comply with federal regulations governing truck maintenance. Common examples of poor maintenance that can lead to accidents include faulty brakes or tires, worn-out steering or suspension systems, and defective lighting or signaling equipment.
- Overloaded or improperly loaded trucks
When a truck is carrying too much weight or its cargo is not secured correctly, it can cause the truck to tip over or jackknife, endangering other vehicles on the road. Signs of negligence in this area may include improperly secured cargo, exceeding weight limits, or failing to balance the load properly. Trucking companies and drivers are responsible for ensuring that their trucks are loaded safely and in compliance with federal regulations, and failure to do so can result in devastating accidents.
