Governments have passed safety regulations to help prevent truck crashes because the inherent demands of a truck driver's job increase the likelihood of safety violations and in turn of trucking accidents.  Accidents involving drivers who fall asleep at the wheel have been much-publicized.  Drivers of large trucks, especially commercial rigs, are also handicapped by lack of visibility and maneuverability.  These limitations contribute to the majority of truck accidents.  Common problems are jackknifing and turning.

Jackknifing occurs when large big-rig vehicles lock up into an L-shaped position during sudden braking and turning. A jackknife is not in itself evidence of negligence, as some situations present unavoidable alternatives to maneuvers which may result in jackknives (e.g., oil spills or avoidance of a sudden obstruction). 

Turning Accidents are common for large commercial trucks.  Truck drivers often must use two traffic lanes to make a right turn so that they may avoid parked cars or the sidewalk.  Many courts consider this type of maneuver (a right turn from an inside lane or occupying two lanes) to be sufficient to establish fault in truck crashes. 

Commercial truck crashes are often exacerbated by the relative size of the truck.  Many large commercial trucks carry loads that increase their weight to 75,000 pounds or more (compared to passenger automobiles that average 3,000 pounds).  As such, trucks are obviously more likely to pose lethal danger to drivers of smaller vehicles. 

If you are involved in a truck wreck, it is important that you file a police report so that the truck accident may be documented and pertinent information may be recorded.  By bringing a legal claim against the responsible parties, you may be entitled to recover compensation for any injuries and damages sustained as a result of the truck accident. It is also important that you identify all potential defendants, because other parties (such as trucking companies, contractors, employers, and insurance companies) may be legally responsible for the accident in some capacity and may be obligated to compensate you for your injuries. 

In commercial truck accidents, companies can liable for their drivers' negligence if (1) the company exercised some degree of control over the driver and (2) the accident occurred while the driver was acting in the course of the employment relationship.  If the truck driver is an independent contractor, the degree of supervision by the company is a critical factor. If material transported by the truck is hazardous and the injuries are caused or worsened by the cargo, the shipper or manufacturer of the hazardous materials may in some cases be liable for the damages.

As you can see, having a skilled Texas truck accident lawyer on your side will be a critical factor in recovering damages.  Located in Dallas, Texas, the Law Offices of Gregory H. Bevel are staffed with experienced, aggressive truck accident attorneys who will pursue every recovery avenue available for your claim.  Our truck accident lawyers understand the complexities of truck crash liability and related insurance matters.

If you have been involved in a truck accident, call the Law Offices of Gregory H. Bevel at 214.250.2525 to arrange a consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney.