Truck drivers go through a lot of training and certifications in order to drive their large trucks on the road. This means that they know about their rig and how to maneuver it on the highway. However, they can still make mistakes that lead to collisions with other vehicles around them because they’re still human like every other driver on the road.
When they act negligently and cause a collision, everyone involved is at risk for serious injuries. A truck accident lawyer from the Law Office of Todd W. Burris can help you recover from your damages and ensure that you get justice for what you’ve been through. Let’s take a look at the common signs of a negligent truck driver so you can know when one caused your collision.
Negligence in Truck Drivers
Just like regular drivers, truckers can also be negligent behind the wheel. While it’s dangerous for any driver to be negligent, it’s especially dangerous for truck drivers. They are in control of a tractor trailer that is much larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road. So when they’re negligent and get into an accident, the consequences are much more severe than a regular motor vehicle wreck.
Since these crashes are so catastrophic, you should know how to spot a negligent truck driver so that you can avoid them at all costs. Here are some of the signs a trucker is being negligent:
- Speeding. If a truck driver isn’t paying attention to the road, they might be going faster than the speed limit allows. If they’re speeding, it could be a sign that they’re not being vigilant and could be distracted while driving.
- Swerving. This is another sign that a trucker isn’t paying attention to the road. Whether they’re tired, drunk, or looking at their phone, if a truck driver is distracted while they’re driving their rig, they could swerve in the lanes and cause a collision.
- Changing Lanes. Other than just swerving, a trucker might also switch lanes without fully checking their blind spots and making sure it’s safe. If they’re being negligent and change lanes, they could cause a wreck because they didn’t make sure the lane next to them was clear.
- Sudden Braking. Tractor trailers need extra space to brake because of their weight. It takes longer for them to come to a complete stop, which makes sudden braking a troublesome sign. If a driver wasn’t paying attention to the road, and when they finally look up they need to stop, they might brake suddenly and not be able to stop in time.
- Blown Tire. While this might not be the fault of the driver, it is also possible that a negligent truck driver is the reason that their tire blows. If they don’t properly inspect their semi, they might miss that their tires or other parts need maintenance, and lead to a blown tire or another defective part.
All of these signs could mean that a driver isn’t paying attention behind the wheel and could be putting you at risk for a collision while on the road. You will need to stay vigilant so that you can identify when a trucker might be negligent and avoid getting into a wreck from their reckless decisions.
Proving Negligence
When negligence has led to your accident with a large truck, you rely on a lawyer to prove that the responsible party is who needs to be held accountable for their actions. Your truck accident lawyer will work on proving that the driver was the person at fault for your collision if their negligence is what caused the crash.
Your attorney will work to show that:
- The driver owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty of care from their negligence.
- That breach caused you injuries.
- Those injuries caused you to suffer damages.
Any evidence that the truck driver was negligent at the time of the crash will help your lawyer prove that they are the party responsible for what happened to you. You’ll need to give them all the information and evidence you have so that you can get justice.
The Law Office of Todd W. Burris Will Help You
You shouldn’t have to deal with a negligent truck driver on your own. When someone else’s negligence has led to you getting into a collision that causes you injuries and damages, you shouldn’t have to worry about how you’re going to financially recover. That’s where we come in. At the Law Office of Todd W. Burris, we’re here to help you with your legal claim.
Our experienced truck accident lawyer in Lexington is prepared to fully investigate what happened and determine exactly what you’re owed so that you can get the compensation you deserve. Reach out to our office today so that we can get started on your claim as soon as possible.
