3 Typical Commercial Trucking Accidents

 

 

There are tens of thousands of commercial trucks on America’s roads and highways. As a result, every individual who travels by road will at some point be near a large commercial truck. The size and weight of these trucks, when combined with a negligent driver or vehicular malfunction, can result in tragedy. When this occurs, it is important for the victims to understand what their legal options are.

 

Although there are many potential causes for a truck-involved accident, the most common reasons include driver fatigue, inattention and inadequate training or actions by other vehicles. Other, less common reasons for a truck-involved accident may include a shifting cargo or mechanical malfunction.

Many truck drivers must abide by strict schedules, and because of this, driver fatigue is a common cause of accidents. Fatigued drivers often make errors in judgment or are slow to react to changing road conditions. This problem can be especially serious among freelance drivers, who are usually paid by the delivery. There are federal regulations involving how many hours a truck driver can be on the road, but these regulations are often ignored by truck drivers.

Some trucking companies fail to ensure that all of their truck drivers are properly trained. Many truck drivers are not aware of proper defensive driving techniques. Even if a truck driver has a valid commercial driver’s license, he or she may not have maintained the skills needed to avoid dangerous accidents.

In some cases, an accident may be caused by another vehicle. A passenger vehicle or other commercial vehicle may enter the truck’s blind spots, leading to a collision or forcing the driver to quickly avoid the danger, potentially colliding with other vehicles on the road. If the truck driver is fatigued or improperly trained, the action he or she takes may actually make the accident worse.

The 3 typical commercial trucking accidents are very likely to end in injury or death for the occupants of any involved passenger vehicles. In fact, 3,675 individuals died due to truck related accidents in 2010. Although truck-involved accidents remain a minority of all vehicular accidents, they are more likely to result in severe injury or death.

When an accident is caused by the negligence of the driver, his company or any other group, the victims of the accident can obtain compensation for their injuries and other losses. This compensation can include the following:

• The cost of any medical care resulting from the accident, including short and long-term care.
• Pain and suffering arising due to the accident.
• Compensation for lost wages, especially if the victims are rendered unable to work in the aftermath of the accident.
• If a family member has died due to the accident, his or her family can obtain compensation for the lost companionship of their relative.
• If the accident was due to egregious negligence or malice, the court may impose punitive damages.

Obtaining a just compensation for a truck-involved accident can be a vital part of recovering from its financial, physical and emotional consequences. Whichever one of the 3 typical commercial trucking accidents a family has suffered, obtaining effective legal assistance is vital. The law firm of Haug Law Group can help the victims and their families determine what the best possible course of action will be. For this reason, anyone who has suffered from a truck-involved accident should immediately contact one of the firm’s experienced attorneys.

 

 Every employer has a legal duty to ensure that the workplace is safe for his or her employees and customers alike. However, many types of working environments prone to slip and fall accidents are not properly maintained, leading to the danger that workers, customers, and visitors may suffer injury or death from an avoidable slip and fall accident. Therefore it is important to understand what types of work environments pose the most hazards for these types of accidents.

 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, slip and fall accidents account for over 16,000 fatalities every year. Non-fatal injuries stemming from these accidents include broken and fractured bones, brain injuries and contusions. Furthermore, these types of accidents may place the individual at risk from other causes, such as when a mechanic slips in front of a moving vehicle.

The most common types of working environments prone to slip and fall accidents are those that involve any type of physical labor. Working in a warehouse, industrial plant or retail store can all expose workers and customers to risk. Among the most common reasons for a slip and fall accident are the following:

·       Slippery or wet surfaces, especially floors and stairs.

·       Improperly secured work equipment, such as ladders and loading ramps.

·       Inadequate lighting in work or walk areas.

·       Improper training in safety procedures and equipment.

 

Retail markets, ranging from supermarkets to warehouse style stores, pose a high risk of slip and fall accidents. Workers often fail to properly post warnings around hazards such as slippery floors or unsecured equipment. These establishments also have a large number of customers present, which can drastically increase the probability of an accident.

Industrial plants often have work areas that suffer from high noise levels and low lighting. This makes it very likely that workers may suffer from a slip and fall accident due to being unable to see an obstacle or hear warnings from their fellow workers. In addition, many managers fail to ensure that that their employees follow all workplace safety regulations. Construction Sites Construction sites can be especially prone to slip and fall accidents. Construction workers find themselves working on roofs and other areas where slip and fall accidents commonly occur. In addition, many construction sites are located in areas with rough terrain and poor lighting, making these types of accidents even more likely.

Finally, because of the number of individual contractors working at most construction sites, the enforcement of state and federal safety regulations can be uneven. When a slip and fall accident occurs, it is important to immediately seek out effective legal assistance. If the accident was due to negligence on the part of the employee’s coworkers or managers, he or she can receive compensation for any injuries or other damages suffered due to the accident. The wide range of types of working environments prone to slip and fall accidents demands the assistance of a lawyer skilled in litigating these types of cases.

The law firm of Haug Law Group is experienced in handling slip and fall cases. The firm’s lawyers can help the victim of this type of accident understand his or her legal options. Anyone who has suffered a slip and fall accident should immediately contact the law offices of Haug Law Group for a consultation regarding their particular case.

 

Haug Law Group, LLC

www.hauglawgroup.com

1-844-428-4529