“Inadequate surveillance” is a somewhat uncommon term for a common driving issue. A driver must use surveillance to safely execute driving maneuvers on the road, such as a turn, a lane change, or a merge. Inadequate surveillance, then, occurs when the driver fails to look in the right place or does look in the right place but cannot properly see. If a driver looks in the right place but fails to register oncoming traffic or road conditions that require evasive maneuvers, that is also classified as inadequate surveillance. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers several tips on how to be more vigilant against inadequate surveillance accidents.
If another vehicle hit you because they did not see you as a result of inadequate surveillance, the Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers may help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation that the law entitles you to. Reach out to a Lafayette truck accident lawyer to discuss your situation.
You Need to Prove Negligence in Inadequate Surveillance Accidents
There are many scenarios in which an inadequate surveillance accident can occur. Depending on how they occur, you may be able to file a claim for damages against the at-fault party responsible for the accident. At-fault parties may include a driver, a vehicle owner or operator, or a service or maintenance crew responsible for vehicle upkeep and safety checks.
Filing a claim usually involves proving that some type of distraction, equipment malfunction, driver error, unexpected road developments, or a combination of each cause led to an accident that was not your fault. Here is how we may help, depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident:
- If a truck driver cut you off or executed an unsafe lane change, we may try to obtain dashcam footage to prove reckless or unsafe driving.
- Unsafe or unexpected turns, over-speeding, and erratic movement on the road may indicate driving under the influence. We may look at medical records or blood alcohol test results, if necessary, to determine if the at-fault driver was intoxicated behind the wheel.
- Erratic road movement can also indicate distracted driving. We may seek online or data activity records, such as social media posts and text messages sent by the at-fault driver, to prove distracted driving.
- If an unexpected equipment malfunction caused a sudden change in driving patterns, such as a driver veering to control a brake issue, we may look at maintenance logs and service records to prove inadequate servicing.
- Driver error claims can be backed up with proof of previous citations. Obtaining the driver’s history may help substantiate a claim based on previous citations for driver error.
- Driver drowsiness can be caused by being overworked or taking certain medications. We may seek driver logs and medical history to investigate whether long work hours or the use of medications might have contributed to an accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), inadequate surveillance was the most frequently assigned driver-related cause of accidents. While issues pertaining to the environment and equipment can cause an accident, driver-related factors, which are sometimes referred to as recognition errors, must be thoroughly assessed and investigated because of the critical role they play in causing or contributing to an accident.
When it comes to driver recognition errors, many of them are preventable with proper training and experience. We must determine which factors were involved in your accident and establish a link, if any, between driver inattention, negligence, or carelessness and the accident you were involved in. We could potentially hold a trucking company owner or operator liable for damages as well if they hired inexperienced drivers or did not invest in appropriate driver training.
How our Lafayette inadequate surveillance lawyers at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you depends on the circumstances of your case. Call a Lafayette personal injury lawyer today to schedule your free consultation.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientFailure to Adequately Surveil the Road May Lead to Severe Damages
Inadequate surveillance can lead to serious injuries and significant property and vehicle damage. Depending on the cause and extent of your accident, we may be able to help you seek compensation for:
- Bodily injuries: Bodily injuries can range from minor injuries, such as sprains and scratches, to serious injuries, such as brain, spinal cord, and organ damage.
- Property damage: This might include damage to your vehicle, possessions inside your vehicle, and your property if the accident occurred near your home or place of business.
- Lost income: If the accident caused an injury that made you unable to work or continue working, we may be able to recover compensation for lost income and future lost wages.
- Pain and suffering: It can take months or years to physically recover from a serious accident and just as long to mentally overcome the trauma of the event. Physical pain and mental anguish are real costs and may be quantified.
- Medication, surgery, and therapy costs: You may seek damages to pay for past as well as future surgeries, medicine, testing, therapy, and doctor’s consultations that you paid for or expect to pay for because of your accident.
Vehicle accidents can lead to long-term injuries and significant trauma. Treatment and care bills can pile up, and you may be out of work for some time. You should focus on getting well, but it may be difficult to do so while handling an injury claim, obtaining evidence to prove your case, and meeting and negotiating with the various parties involved in your accident. A Lafayette inadequate surveillance lawyer may handle your case so that you can focus on your recovery.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientContact Us Today About Your Lafayette Inadequate Surveillance Case
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we can handle the legal aspects of your case so that you can focus on your recovery. Call Laborde Earle Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 to speak with a member of our team.
