Meaux Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents cause severe injuries compared to small cars. Sometimes, truck crashes prove fatal, leaving families devastated. After a truck accident, injured victims and loved ones of deceased victims find themselves in financial peril. The large insurance companies used by trucking companies may try to deny your truck accident claim or give you a low settlement.

A Meaux truck accident lawyer will fight for your right to a favorable truck accident settlement. We can help you recover damages such as medical bills, repair costs, burial expenses, loss of income, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of support

Negligent Causes of Truck Accidents

At first glance, it may seem as though the truck driver’s negligence is the reason for the accident. While this is true in some cases, it is not always true. The crash may be due to negligence by the trucking company, local government or contractor tasked with road maintenance.

Negligence by the Driver

Negligent acts by the driver significantly contribute to truck accidents. These actions include:

Speeding

Trucks are heavy and take a longer time to come to a halt compared to smaller cars. If the driver drives above the set speed limit, they will take an even longer period to get to a complete stop. This makes the driver more likely to cause a rear-end crash. Speeding also causes the load on the truck to shift, which can result in the entire vehicle tipping over.

Driving While Impaired

When truck drivers operate the vehicle while drunk or after abusing drugs, their reasoning, coordination, and reaction abilities are affected. These qualities are essential in ensuring they drive safely.

Distracted Driving

Driving while distracted takes your focus off the road increasing the chances of a truck accident. Being distracted can include failure to look at the road or letting the mind wander.

Negligence by the Trucking Company

The trucking company is responsible for proper hiring, training, and implementing state and federal laws in their operations. Failure to do so may get them sued due to a crash by their truck drivers. Some ways the company demonstrates negligence include:

Hands-off Hiring Approach

If the company hires the driver without ensuring they have a commercial driver’s license and the employee causes an accident, their negligence will have contributed to the crash. The company also needs to look at the potential driver’s records to ensure they have no serious driving infractions.

Poor Loading Practices

The trucking company is in charge of hiring and training workers to properly load cargo so that it does not shift during the trip. Shifting can cause fatal accidents. If the firm does not ensure the truck is loaded correctly, they share some of the accident liability.

Violating Hours of Service

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets hours of service that truck drivers should work. Going beyond these hours leads to driving when tired or drowsy which can cause life-changing crashes. Trucking companies that violate these time guidelines demonstrate negligence and contribute to truck accidents.

Negligence by a Government Agency or Contractor

Potholes and other road defects may cause a truck accident. In such a case you can file a truck accident claim against the government agency or contractor tasked with the maintenance of that road for your injuries and losses.