Truck drivers and trucking companies are not responsible for every truck accident. There are many ways drivers of passenger vehicles cause truck accidents and there are a variety of strategies truck companies can use to defend themselves against negligence claims.
Common causes
Truck drivers are professional and skilled drivers. Most passenger vehicle drivers don’t have anything like the same training or experience that professional truckers do, and they may not be sufficiently aware of safety considerations that are particular to driving close to large trucks.
One common way passenger vehicle drivers cause a truck accident is by not allowing truck drivers additional stopping distance. They may also drive in the truck driver’s blind spot.
When they are learning to drive, most people learn that they should allow additional distance between themselves and trucks when merging and completing a pass. Unfortunately, many drivers get complacent about these guidelines and forget to act with caution.
Size and weight differences
Semitrailer trucks can be 20 to 30 times heavier than passenger vehicles. Drivers of passenger vehicles should always remain focused but should be especially focused around large trucks and avoid driving while distracted, fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
One approach to truck accident liability defense is to determine if the passenger vehicle driver is to blame for the accident. There are a variety of different ways to defend against a personal injury claim following a truck accident and the best approach is based on the unique situation and circumstances of the accident.