Every day we see big rig truck in the roads throughout the United States. Big rigs are the largest and heaviest motor vehicles on our roads and highways. However, these trucks are causing a great deal of accidents that all too often result in devastating injuries or death.
These heavy trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and stretch as long as 65 feet. Just imagine how much destruction a single semi-tractor trailer truck accident can cause, especially on a busy highway. Our law firm has handled the many types of truck accidents discussed in detail in this article. If you or a family member have been involved in a big rig truck accident, contact the big rig truck accident attorneys in Michigan!
Big rig truck accidents are common now due to the gigantic number of trucks on our roads. Due to the danger involved in driving commercial trucks there are many rules and regulations that the truck drivers neglect or ignore the standard practices that a responsible and reasonable truck driver should follow. The following are some of the rules neglected by truck drivers, which cause these devastating accidents:
Big trucks must maintain a large gap between them and the other vehicles, so they are able to come to a safe stop when necessary. Unfortunately, when a truck needs to slow down or stop, they need sufficient distance and time because of the momentum forces can be strong and the truck can crash into other vehicles easily.
Distracted driving has become the number one cause of car accidents. The risk of a car driver to text or talk on the phone while driving has risen with mobile phones but using handheld phone by big rig truck drivers is prohibited by law. Operating big vehicle is hard enough so any additional distracted almost always results in catastrophe.
Sometimes a big rig truck driver will get behind the wheel after having a couple drinks. Big rigs truck drivers are considered drunk with a BAC .04.
Big rig truck drivers are known to easily get too emotional and hot-headed to handle a big rig truck. If some other driver comes too close or overtakes them, they sometimes become aggressive and try to respond with aggression. Many times, this ends badly and there is never a good reason to become aggressive behind the wheel of a big rig.
According to the law, big rigs are required to follow certain cargo securement safety rules while loading a truck because the heavier the truck is, the more difficult it becomes to control the vehicle to avoid a big rig truck accident. Carrying extra weight can be itself a violation of law, but unevenly distributing the cargo create be a tipping hazard.
Every truck driver is required to perform a pre-trip and post-trip safety inspection to ensure all of the brakes, tires, and systems are properly functioning before starting to operate the truck. Sometimes something as small as a defect tire or brake hose can cause many people to lose their lives.
As local driver or over the road trucker, you will tend to see big rig trucks on the roads and the highways daily. Looking at these trucks may seem to be another big-sized vehicle to you, but they play a vital role in keeping our country's economy moving.
Big rig trucks carry cargo required to fill the growing population's needs and essentials supplies for human survival. Trucks play a significant role in our daily lives, but these trucks pose a danger on the roads because truck drivers neglect many rules and ignore the safety regulations that have caused many big truck accidents over the past 50 years.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have compiled data to show how many big rig truck accidents occurred in 2018.
After a car accident, the injured passengers usually sue or make a claim for compensation. However, after a truck accident, the injuries are usually severe, and the insurance policy is too small to cover for the loss. Here are some things to know if you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident.
Keep in mind truck drivers have different rules and regulations to follow in addition to the everyday traffic laws. One of the important rules includes that a truck driver is limited to maximum of 10 hours in which he or she can drive. If the big rig truck driver goes beyond the limit when you are hit in your vehicle, the chances are he was sleepy or fatigued. Truck drivers are also required to make sure the rig has regular maintenance and inspection before placing the big rig on the road.
All modern trucks are now equipped with EDR (electronic data recorders) and digital tracking systems that give information about the truck's speed, location, steering input, velocity, braking, and acceleration. In other words, the electronics monitor and look out for every truck operating component. You should get your hands on the trucks recorder before its erased or destroyed. Your experienced big rig truck accident lawyer will know how to secure the EDR information.
In many case, big rig truck driver is not the owner. The big rig trucks can be the property of big companies and commercial carriers represented by corporate lawyers and powerful insurance companies. The lawyers are well aware that truck accidents are very different from car accidents as they are more dangerous and can cause devasting injuries. Usually, the claims can cost them hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, so they do everything to keep you from getting the compensation you deserve.
Apart from the truck drivers' error and poor judgment, many natural factors can contribute to these car accidents. In Michigan the truck driver is legally required to adjust driving behavior for some of those contributing factors, which could include the following:
Handling a big rig is different than a car on a snowy or rainy days. The truck needs more time and distance to stop because of its size and mass. Truck drivers faced with severe weather conditions in ice, rain, snow, fog, and heavy winds can easily cause a preventable crash by simply reducing speed or if severe enough getting off the road.
Big rig trucks can encounter difficulty driving over potholes, uphill, downhill, or curves. The trucks dynamics are severely affected when driving in these poor road conditions, which can be a hazard if caution is not used, and speed is not reduced.
Big rig trucks can be severely affected by heavy winds or wind gusts because the trailer attached to the cab can easily be blown away from its lane, and it becomes impossible for the driver to control. The truck and trailer can jackknife and collide with other passenger vehicles.
Truck drivers believe it or not can get lost even with GPS system. In these instances, the truck driver is unaware that the location turns into a road too narrow, curved, or rough road, increasing the risk of an accident.
If you are a victim of a truck accident that injured you and wrecked your life, contact the truck accident attorneys at The Joseph Dedvukaj Firm. We have extensive knowledge and experience about big rig truck accidents. Our truck accident attorneys are well aware of every truck driving law and regulation that will help you win your case.
Big truck accidents are a reality of life, and your rights are to hold those accountable not only for yourself but for the motoring public. Call us today for a free consultation at 248-352-2110 or toll free 866-HIRE-JOE with a truck accident lawyer in Michigan.
