Need an Injury Attorney for Your North Carolina Trucking Accident?
Truck accidents happen all over North Carolina every year in the U.S. Two of the main areas of North Carolina that suffer from serious truck accidents are Charlotte and Asheville, with the most fatalities across the state. In fact, in 2013, there were almost 2,000 accidents involving trucks statewide, with hundreds involving serious injuries and 18 bringing fatalities.
Why Do Truck Accidents Commonly Occur?
Some types of truck accidents are more common than others. But we do know this: When a truck accident occurs, it is bound to create more damage than a passenger vehicle-on-vehicle accident. This is because of the sheer size of tractor trailers, making them inherently dangerous in the face of an accident. The smallest driving error can lead to the most catastrophic accident with devastating consequences. Here are some of the top reasons for truck accidents:
Equipment Failure: Trucks consist of many operating systems that all work at once. If certain parts of a truck break down, such as brakes that aren’t working correctly or tires that come loose, it could cause a catastrophic accident in the blink of an eye. This means that, not only could the driver be responsible, but liability could fall into the hands of a manufacturer, installer mechanic, or trucking company.
Driving Errors: Drivers can also be held liable for their actions on the roadways. If a driver does not operate their truck safely, it could lead to an accident – such as in cases of immense driver fatigue, distracted driving, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or not following safety guidelines.
Truck drivers and companies have to abide by many rules on the roadways when it comes to these large commercial vehicles. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for devising laws and regulations for trucks across America. Some of these regulations govern how many hours truck drivers can spend on the road until they take breaks to keep them from drowsy driving, licensing requirements that must be met, and the rules that dictate hiring of truck drivers. When these laws are ignored and an accident results, a variety of parties could be held liable for an accident.
Holding a Party Liable for Damages
You may suffer from tremendous losses when you are involved in a truck accident, such as medical bills that seem to be piling up, lost income when you’re unable to return to work, permanent disability, future treatment if your injuries are lasting, or pain and suffering from the emotional turmoil your accident has caused you. Many accidents are caused by negligence on behalf of distracted drivers or trucking companies that don’t want to play by the rules. Whether a company was not keeping proper log books on a truck driver, a competent person failed to secure cargo correctly, or a driver was too busy texting instead of paying attention to the roadways, you can hold a party liable if negligence played a role in your accident.
Speaking to an Attorney Today
When you have been injured in a trucking accident, you may wonder where to turn to get started on your case and gathering evidence to show that a negligent party is responsible for your injuries. Speak to an attorney today to get started on your case and work toward the results you deserve.