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Big rig accidents happen for many reasons

On Behalf of | Sep 17, 2017 | Trucking Accidents |

As one of our California readers, living in a state where traveling on the roads is, arguably, the mainstay of transportation and commutation, we know that you may have some fears about driving in close proximity to large commercial trucks. These big rigs don’t always pay close attention to passenger vehicles, which can make your time on the road stressful.

Unfortunately, big rig accidents happen all too often. When a commercial truck collides with a smaller vehicle, there’s always the possibility that the passengers in the smaller vehicle will suffer a serious injury.

Here are some of the top causes of truck accidents:

  • Reckless driving, such as when a trucker fails to obey the speed limit or swerves in and out of highway traffic in an attempt to make time
  • Drowsy driving, which typically comes into play when a trucker has spent too many consecutive hours on the road
  • Impaired driving, which can be the result of either drug or alcohol use
  • Lack of training with respect to safety concerns, defensive driving and driving technique
  • Unrealistic schedule, which often falls back on a trucking company that places too high of demands on its truckers
  • System of compensation that promotes faster operating speeds, such as paying a bonus if the trucker reaches his or her destination early
  • Distracted driving, which can be the result of texting, talking on a cellphone, eating, drinking or anything else that takes the trucker’s eyes off the road

If you are part of a big rig accident, your first thought should be to call 911. This helps ensure that the police and an ambulance rush to the scene.

Once you receive medical treatment and learn more about the cause of the accident, such as who was at fault, you can turn your attention to your legal rights. If the trucker or trucking company acted in a negligent manner, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries.

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