Truck accidents are very common on Virginia roads, occurring very suddenly. Many times, drivers of smaller vehicles are left with serious injuries, unsure of how the crash actually happened. While the cause of an accident is not always easily identifiable and often requires an extensive investigation, victims can be assured that a Virginia Beach truck accident attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can conduct this investigation to identify the cause and obtain the financial compensation the victim deserves for the losses their injuries have caused. Below are some of the most common causes of Virginia truck accidents.
Drowsy Driving
Truck drivers are often under pressure to meet very tight deadlines and to do that, they need to be on the road as much as possible. Federal regulations do outline the hours of service a truck driver can remain on the road, and when they must take breaks. Unfortunately, many drivers ignore that rule in order to meet their deadlines. Other times, the trucking company may actually offer incentives for drivers to ignore those rules. These situations often result in fatigue truck drivers operating massive vehicles – putting themselves and everyone on the road with them in danger.
Impaired Driving
For many, it is unfathomable that anyone would drive while impaired, much less the driver of a commercial truck. Unfortunately, there are truck drivers who think that using drugs or alcohol will actually help them stay awake, allowing them to remain on the road longer and get to their destination on time. Impaired driving is always very dangerous and reckless behavior. When truck drivers engage in this behavior, it causes some of the worst truck accidents.
Speeding
Trucks are extremely heavy vehicles and they take much longer to slow down and come to a full stop. When truck drivers speed, they do not leave themselves the amount of distance necessary to stop and they may end up crashing into a vehicle in front of them. Speed does not only cause truck accidents, but it also impacts the severity of accidents and the injuries sustained as a result.
Improper Inspection and Maintenance of Trucks
Many people assume the truck driver is the one at fault for a crash, but this is not always true. Trucking companies are required to inspect their trucks regularly and perform regular maintenance and repair when needed. In an effort to cut costs, some trucking companies take dangerous shortcuts and do not comply with these rules. This lack of inspections and making needed repairs can lead to deadly truck crashes.
Improper Loading
Truck drivers are not always the ones to load and unload their vehicles. Sometimes, another company is responsible for this job. When cargo is not loaded onto a truck properly, it can shift during transport, and that can throw the entire truck off balance. An unbalanced truck will cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and become involved in a very serious accident. There is also the issue of cargo not being secured properly, which can then fall off the truck and onto the path of unsuspecting motorists.
Victims of Virginia Beach Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are more complex than other types of vehicle accidents and often have more than one at-fault party. Victims of truck accidents should consider retaining the services of an experienced Virginia truck accident attorney who will conduct a thorough investigation of the crash, including obtaining maintenance records and other critical information which will help determine the cause of the crash and which parties are responsible.
If you or a family member has been injured in a truck accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a crash, contact a seasoned Virginia Beach truck accident attorney to discuss what legal recourse you may have. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our injury attorneys have represented numerous truck accident victims and have the legal expertise to handle these complex cases with positive results.
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For over twenty years, Mr. Sharp's law practice has focused on serious personal injury claims, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury claims. He also handles nursing home neglect cases and medical malpractice claims. Mr. Sharp has counseled numerous clients about the complexities concerning litigation of both pediatric and adult brain injury.
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