Common Causes of Truck Accidents

When a collision occurs involving a truck, the chance of injury increases greatly, mostly due to the massive weight of the vehicle itself and any load it may be carrying. Following are some of the more common reasons truck accidents occur.

Brake Failure is a Common Cause

Brake failure in a truck can bring on catastrophic injury to both the driver as well as any nearby pedestrians or vehicles who happen to be in the way. It is of utmost importance that truck companies and private owners maintain high standards when it comes to ensuring brakes are in good working order before allowing trucks on the road.

Downhill brake failure is not uncommon and driver technique also has to be correctly performed, especially on long downhill runs. Many truckers claim that intermittent application of brakes is the proper technique as opposed to continuous pressure and the key to successful braking is air pressure. All of the truck's brakes should be working in addition to it being properly loaded and the tractor-trailer balanced correctly to avoid accidents.

Jackknifing Can Cause Accidents

Jackknifing is what happens when the drive axle brakes lock up and this can lead to a rollover. Once the brakes get locked up, the directional control of the axle gets lost and a sideways pull will develop which is what can cause the vehicle to subsequently rollover.

Truck Rollovers Can Happen Easily

When the driver of a big rig takes a corner or a curve too fast, a rollover can easily occur and if you happen to be in the way when this happens, serious injury can be sustained. Sometimes trucks rollover even when going slowly for example, when backing up and a jackknife occurs which can then lead into a rollover. Rollovers can also occur when a driver gets stuck in ground that is too soft, gets caught in pavement which has separated or when the driver is returning to the road after putting a tire off the pavement.

Have you been injured in a truck accident in Brandon?

If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, it is vital to contact a Brandon personal injury lawyer as soon as possible; do not try to negotiate with the trucking company or their insurance carrier without getting legal guidance first. At the Boohoff Law P.A., we have successfully represented clients who have been injured in truck accidents and know how devastating they can be. After being injured in a truck accident, you could be saddled with negative consequences for weeks, months or years to come and you will need skilled representation to ensure you get the compensation you need and deserve. Don't hesitate to contact us for exceptional legal guidance; we are here to help.

Contact a Brandon truck accident attorneyin our office today for a free consultation and let us help you start on the road to recovery.