The presence of a commercial truck while on the road can be intimidating to other drivers. It is understandable, as these hefty trucks can weigh anywhere from 10,000 pounds, up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Commercial trucks are usually carrying some sort of good, product or chemical. Truck drivers often have to make very long journeys in order to reach their arrival destination safely. This may mean a truck driver is behind the wheel for extended hours, voyaging down long and at times boring roads. When there is a truck-related crash, the results can be truly devastating.
This is why truck drivers must always put safety first when sharing the road with others. There is much responsibility that comes along with carrying thousands and thousands of pounds from point A, to point B.
Here in this article below, we have answered a series of questions many people may have about why these truck accidents occur, and what to do if you have fallen victim to a truck driver’s poor behavior on the road.
Do truck drivers ever get distracted or tired while on their long drives?
Yes, it is possible that a truck driver can become distracted or exhausted while on such long trips. There are a couple main factors that can contribute to truck accidents. The first, is when a truck driver uses his or her cell phone while behind the wheel. This may not be illegal in all states, but if it causes the driver to be impaired then police should be called to intervene.
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Secondly, if a truck driver neglects to get enough rest or take breaks, he or she could experience bouts of microsleep. This is when the body is so sleep-deprived, that it attempts to gain rest by entering small moments of sleep. While these periods may only last a fraction of a second or up to half a minute, that is plenty long enough for a driver to become unaware as to what is happening on the road.
If I got hit by a truck driver, what can I do to get repayment for my losses?
Many of those who suffered painful injuries as a result of being hit by a commercial truck driver, may wonder how they can seek compensation for financial losses. While it does depend on who was at-fault and exactly how the accident happened, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the truck driver for retribution.
Let’s say I scheduled my appointment with an attorney, what should I do now?
Between now and your consultation date, you should be gathering all important information related to the collision and your subsequent losses. Examples of paperwork you may want to bring along to the appointment with a truck accident lawyer Staunton, VA trusts include:
- Any proof of the accident (photographs, official incident report, witnesses, etc.)
- Medical documents (doctor’s evaluations, diagnostics, results)
- Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses (co pays, medications, chiropractic appointments)
- Truck driver’s information and trucking company name
Call MartinWren, P.C. for more insight into truck safety and accidents.
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