Commercial Vehicle Accidents
The Law Firm of Roger “Rocky” Walton, P.C. stands with victims of car accidents and their loved ones. Our team of Arlington, TX injury accident and fatal collision attorneys will hold negligent parties accountable for the harm they caused. We will help you seek damages to cover injuries and other losses associated with the crash.
Crashes with commercial vehicles can be especially devastating, particularly when that vehicle is a semi-truck or tractor-trailer. We’d like to look at some of the dangers associated with commercial vehicle accidents and discuss injuries and liability in these kinds of collisions.
Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents
According to 2017 numbers from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 4,237 fatal crashes involving large commercial trucks that year. Of that number, 3,139 fatal crashes involved a collision without other vehicles in transport, 314 fatal crashes involved collisions with pedestrians, 181 involve rollover accidents, 12 involved jackknifing, and 9 were due to cargo shifting or falling out/off.
The FMCSA also notes that 1,401 fatal large truck accidents (33.1 percent) involved these vehicles traveling between 50 mph and 55 mph; 875 fatal crashes (20.7 percent) were at speed of 60 mph to 65 mph, and 787 fatal crashes (18.6 percent) were at speeds of 70 mph to 75 mph.
Potential Injuries in Commercial Vehicle Crashes
The injuries sustained in a commercial vehicle crash can be severe. Head trauma, brain damage, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and harm to internal organs are all common given the force of impact in these kinds of crashes. As the numbers above reveal, many of the injuries sustained in commercial vehicle crashes, particularly with large trucks, can prove fatal.
Errors by the Commercial Vehicle Driver
In many commercial vehicle accidents throughout the Arlington area, driver error plays a major role. This covers a failure to signal, a failure to yield the right of way, failures checking blind spots before merging or turning, or general inattention while on the road.
Given the realities of many commercial driving jobs, there is also a risk of driver fatigue while behind the wheel. In such situations, the truck drivers fall asleep or become drowsy while on the road. According to estimates from the FMCSA, up to 13 percent of commercial drivers experienced some degree of fatigue at the time of their collision.
Issues with Vehicle Maintenance and Safety
Sometimes the drivers themselves operate their vehicles just fine, but the issue is with the vehicles they’re driving. Poorly maintained or irregularly serviced vehicles can be a hazard for everyone on the road. Bad tires, faulty brakes, and issues with various safety systems on the large truck could turn a routine drive into an accident waiting to happen.
The trucking company and/or the mechanics servicing the vehicle fleet need to be held accountable if they do not maintain or repair vehicles properly.
Negligence by the Commercial Vehicle Company
Beyond maintaining vehicles, commercial trucking and driving companies need to be diligent about many other matters. Hiring unqualified drivers could lead to avoidable accidents. Similarly, failing to discipline unsafe drivers can cause accidents that could have been prevented. When commercial trucking and vehicle companies overwork their employees, this can result in fatigue and a higher risk of crashes.
This is why our attorneys will focus on all aspects of a commercial vehicle collision. Crashes could be the result of negligence from the top down, and all parties must be held accountable for the role they played in a crash.
Speak with an Auto Accident Lawyer
If you live in the greater Arlington area and need to discuss legal options following a serious collision, be sure to contact a skilled auto accident attorney. The Law Firm of Roger “Rocky” Walton, P.C. can be reached by phone at (817) 533-4120.
