Indiana is a key transportation hub in the Midwest, with numerous highways and interstates crisscrossing the state. This makes it vital for semi-trucks to transport goods across the country. However, the high volume of truck traffic poses significant challenges to those who live here. The enormous size and weight of semi-trucks make them difficult to maneuver and stop, increasing the risk of accidents. Additionally, Indiana’s mix of urban and rural roads and varying weather conditions can create hazardous driving situations for truck drivers and other motorists.
Common causes of semi-truck accidents
Semi-truck accidents can result in severe injuries and fatalities. Here are five common causes of these accidents in Indiana:
- Driver fatigue: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates truck drivers’ hours at the wheel, but the driver or employer may ignore them. Fatigue can impair their reaction times and decision-making abilities, leading to accidents.
- Distracted driving: Distractions such as using a cell phone, eating or adjusting the radio can distract a car or truck driver from the road. Still, the size of an 80,000-pound semi means that even a momentary lapse in focus can have devastating consequences.
- Speeding: Semi trucks are hard enough to maneuver and stop, so driving at high speeds reduces the driver’s reaction time to sudden changes in traffic conditions. Speeding also increases the severity of accidents when they occur.
- Improperly secured cargo: If the cargo on a semi-truck trailer isn’t secured properly, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unbalanced and potentially lead to a rollover or other type of crash.
- Mechanical failures: Issues such as brake failures, tire blowouts and other mechanical problems can cause a driver to lose control of the truck. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent these types of accidents.
- Poorly maintained roads: Because trucks are hard to control, poorly marked obstacles, construction zones or bad roads can lead to crashes beyond the driver’s best efforts.
Understanding these common causes can help drivers in private vehicles be more aware and cautious.
Accountability for semi-truck accidents
When a semi-truck accident occurs, multiple parties can be accountable. The truck driver may be liable if their negligence, such as distracted driving or speeding, caused the accident. The trucking company can also be held responsible if they fail to properly train drivers, maintain their vehicles or pressure drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines. Additionally, if a mechanical failure caused the accident, the manufacturer of the faulty part could be liable. In some cases, the victim can hold the local government responsible for poor road maintenance that contributed to the accident.
The role of a truck accident attorney
A truck accident attorney can be invaluable to those severely injured in a semi-truck accident or for the surviving family members of victims. An experienced attorney can help navigate the complex legal process, gather evidence and build a strong case to ensure that victims receive the compensation they deserve. This can include money for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
