Motor vehicle accidents involving trucks can be especially dangerous due to the size and power of trucks. Contact an Allentown truck accident lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC today if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident.
What Makes Trucks So Dangerous?
Trucks are generally designed to carry loads of goods from location to location. Those loads can be large, heavy, awkward, unstable, and even toxic. Trucks must share the roads with vehicles that are much more agile but smaller and less protected. Some of the conditions that can negatively impact a truck traveling through Allentown and elsewhere include:
- Traffic Issues. Changes in traffic patterns, congestion, or other reckless drivers can all impact how well a truck is operated. For example, merging onto a highway can be dangerous because of the amount of space the truck needs. Where the highway is congested, this task can be very difficult.
- Roadway Conditions. Weather conditions (such as snow, rain or ice) can reduce the performance of trucks, making them more difficult to control. Truck drivers must respond accordingly by reducing their speed, or, if necessary, stopping safely off the roadway.
- Driver Issues. Truck drivers have demanding and difficult jobs, but they must stay alert and safe at all times. Drug use and abuse, fatigue, or a lack of skill or training can all significantly increase the likelihood of an accident.
One of our experienced Allentown truck accident lawyers will work with a team of professionals to help determine the actual cause of your accident. This is important as it can help to identify the appropriate party to be held liable for your injuries.
Who Might Be Responsible for My Trucking-Related Accident Injuries?
There are many different individuals or entities (businesses) that might be responsible, in whole or part, for the injuries you have suffered. Part of our job, as your law firm, is to help identify the responsible parties.
- Drivers. The truck driver is responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle. As discussed above, a driver who is using drugs or is fatigued increases the risk of an accident.
- Owners. The owner of the truck is responsible for safe hiring practices. This means that the owner must act reasonably when hiring truckers. An owner who hires a truck driver who has a history of accidents or drug use should be held responsible for the injuries that the truck driver causes.
- Manufacture. A poorly designed or manufactured truck can be extremely dangerous. For example, inappropriately designed brakes may prevent a truck from stopping in a timely manner given the size or weight of the load being carried.
- Loader. The company responsible for ensuring that the truck’s load is properly loaded may also be responsible. Loose or shifting cargo can impact a truck driver’s ability to control the truck, creating a significant risk to other drivers.
Of course, each of these entities or people may have insurance. When an insurance company gets involved, they will bring their army of lawyers with them to fight to reduce the size of the payout to you.
Why is It So Important to Have an Allentown Truck Accident Lawyer Working for Me?
Contact Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC today by calling 888-777-7098 or online to discuss your truck accident. It is critical that our legal team begin working with medical professionals and trucking experts as soon as possible to ensure that your claim is properly managed.
Those responsible for your injuries will have legal professionals working hard to ensure that you get as little compensation for your injuries as possible. An Allentown truck accident lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC can explain your rights and options under the law and work with you through the entire legal process.