Memphis Truck Accident Lawyer

Causes of Truck Accidents in Memphis

No matter which Memphis roads you most frequently traverse, you’re bound to see large trucks on a regular basis. These vehicles are significantly larger and much wider than typical passenger cars, and their size can lead to dangers for everyone else on the road.

Truck accidents often leave victims with both emotional and physical injuries. Truck accidents happen because of:

• Driver Fatigue: According to a research study, driver fatigue is the top reason for semi-truck accidents. A variety of factors may contribute to truck driver fatigue. However, the root cause is extended driving hours and demanding schedules. When trucking companies require truck drivers to make deliveries in unrealistic periods, fatigued drivers are forced to push themselves to continue driving. With an established culture of competition among trucking companies and an inability to earn a decent wage, fatigue is a prominent issue leading to thousands of crashes yearly.
• Speeding: Truck drivers often face pressure to get to their destination on time, even when the weather may not cooperate, or road conditions may be less than ideal. To keep their job, they tend to drive too fast and cut corners, putting others at risk of an accident. In particular, small vehicles often have no chance of outrunning a large truck on the road. The faster these trucks travel, the more dangerous it is for other vehicles on the road. Speeding also has the effect of significantly reducing reaction time.
• Unsecured Loads: Few things are as dangerous on an 18-wheeler as a poorly secured load. This poses a risk not only to the driver but to people who share the road with the truck. It’s vital to properly secure and load products onto a truck or trailer. Incorrect weight distribution can increase the chances of an accident happening. Improperly tied cargo can fall off the trailer and into the path of an oncoming vehicle, which can cause a car accident.
• Tire Blowouts: Truck drivers rely on their tires for safe movements, but serious problems often occur whenever truckers experience tire blowouts. A truck with bad tires will not fare well on the road, which can cause serious crashes that will put the driver in danger and damage surrounding vehicles. Tire blowouts can lead to the destruction of property on the highway and even injury or death for drivers and passengers in another vehicle. Drivers should always use good tires and keep them properly maintained to help avoid accidents.
• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. While driving long distances, drivers get bored and look for ways to entertain themselves. The biggest distractions for truckers are cell phones, books and other reading materials, and the radio. Texting is the most dangerous source of distraction because it takes a driver’s eyes off the road for a more extended period. Truck drivers must always be vigilant about their surroundings, just like in a passenger vehicle. Drivers should resist the urge to do anything that makes them look away from the road or their surroundings.
• Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in Memphis. Truck drivers are often found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and many die every year in accidents caused by the impaired operation of semi-trucks on the road.

Other factors that can lead to truck accidents are:

• Truck driver’s error
• Driver’s negligence
• Driver’s failure to monitor blind spots
• Defective brakes

Who is Liable for a Semi-Truck Accident?

Truck accidents are a shared responsibility because they involve many parties. Truck accidents are a shared responsibility. Commercial trucking accidents often affect the driver, the company they work for, and the product in the truck.

If a third party is hurt, depending on the situation, it may also trigger fault from a government agency or other entity. The driver, employer, and all others involved in the incident should work with an experienced truck accident injury lawyer to help the victim get through this traumatic time and obtain fair settlement amounts.

• Potential At-Fault Parties: It’s important to remember that the outcome of legal actions following a truck accident will rarely be cut and dry. In most cases, more than one party was involved in causing the accident, leading to a more complex litigation process than simple car accidents where only two parties are involved. As such, it is essential to work with an attorney who has experience securing compensation for clients in similar situations. Our experienced Memphis truck accident lawyer will examine every aspect of your case and the available evidence to identify all liable parties accurately.
• Truck Drivers: When a truck driver causes an accident, he or she will be held liable for any damages caused. However, there are many details that the victim should consider to prove liability. The victim must be able to prove that the truck driver’s negligence caused the accident. For example, the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol and was negligent. The driver might have also broken a traffic law, such as speeding or failure to stop at a stop sign.
• Trucking Company: A trucking company may be liable for a crash in which the driver of their vehicle is at fault. The party responsible for the accident often depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident. If the truck accident was caused by a driver’s negligence, the responsible company could be held liable for employing truckers who do not follow traffic laws.
• Cargo Loaders: If a cargo loader did not fully inspect the cargo and secure it correctly, he or she could become liable when the load falls off the truck and causes injury to another driver or damages property. No one wants to think about cargo falling off a truck, but the possibility is always there that a truck loader may not load cargo properly. Improperly stowed cargo is highly susceptible to shifting and falling off a vehicle during a trip. If this occurs, the truck driver may lose control of the vehicle and could potentially cause an accident or damage equipment. The cargo might also damage another vehicle or cause injury when it falls off.