Whether it is a crowded street or a busy highway, Alabama drivers often encounter enormous 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks. Even though they are physically intimidating, the danger of a truck collision lies in the devastating consequences of property damage and catastrophic injuries should a crash occur.
While they are professional drivers by virtue of extra training and thousands of hours in service, truck drivers are not immune to making mistakes while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, these mistakes or errors in judgment can lead to a motor vehicle collision. Even though every collision is unique, there are numerous common factors that might lead to a truck crash, including:
- Distracted driving: Since they spend their entire work shift on the road, numerous distractions tempt drivers. From eating while behind the wheel to maintaining a phone conversation any type of distraction can pull a driver’s attention from the road leading to serious collisions.
- Impaired driving: From dangerous substances such as drugs and alcohol to prescription medications and over-the-counter treatments, drivers can suffer impairment. This can result in cognitive challenges as well as a loss of perceptive acuity such as blurred vision or hearing loss.
- Drowsy driving: Whether due to long hours behind the wheel or any of the above-mentioned substances, it is not uncommon for drivers to become tired while on the road. Drowsy driving can lead to motorists drifting into oncoming lanes, failing to recognize stopped traffic or missing warning signs.
- Poor training: While driving tests generally follow federal mandates, a company’s training program might be lacking in numerous areas. These training failures can lead to devastating collisions.
- Mechanical defects: Even though the trucking company must keep careful maintenance schedules, the truck driver is the first line of defense when something starts to go wrong. From an unbalanced load to a potential tire blowout, drivers must recognize danger and take steps to mitigate it.
A crash involving an 18-wheeler can have devastating, catastrophic consequences for the occupants of the smaller passenger vehicles. From traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage to crush injuries and paralysis, these severe injuries can lead to a lifetime of pain and recuperation. Unfortunately, the most serious collisions can result in fatality.
Whether you were injured or lost a loved one in a truck collision, it is wise to seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney. Costly medical treatment can lead to financial peril and the legal system could provide a path toward monetary compensation for your injuries.
