Large commercial trucks can cause devastating injuries, especially when they collide with typical passenger vehicles. The truck driver is not automatically responsible when a tractor-trailer, also known as a big rig or a semi-truck, is involved in a crash. However, federal research on trucking accidents shows that truck driver actions often play a major role in these accidents.
This article discusses why truck driver safety matters, the types of actions that can be unsafe, and when a truck driver might be legally responsible for a semi-truck accident. It also explains how an Birmingham trucking accident lawyer can help.
Why Unsafe Driving Is More Dangerous for Commercial Trucks
While all drivers should operate their vehicles safely, the differences between large commercial trucks and passenger vehicles make this especially important for tractor-trailer drivers.
First, big rigs are much larger and heavier than typical passenger vehicles. This means that they need more time to slow down. It can take up to 200 yards – the length of two football fields – for a semi to come to a complete stop. Additionally, if a truck driver takes a curve at a high speed, the weight of the truck can lead to a rollover or jackknife.
Second, big trucks have bigger blind spots than regular cars. Most drivers of passenger vehicles know that they should do their best to stay out of a truck’s blind spot. But by the same token, tractor-trailer drivers should know that merging or changing lanes without checking that blind spot could cause an accident.
Finally, semi-trucks make wider turns than passenger vehicles. As such, they require lots of space. If a truck driver underestimates the distance and makes a turn that’s too sharp, the trailer can swing outward. If this happens, nearby vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians could be endangered.
Which Truck Driver Actions Can Cause Trucking Accidents?
Unsafe truck driving can take many forms. Common driver actions that can lead to accidents include:
- Speeding or driving too fast for the conditions
- Failing to leave adequate stopping distance
- Failing to increase following distance when conditions (e.g., rain, snow, or heavy traffic) require it
- Failing to check the truck’s blind spots before changing lanes, merging, or turning
- Making a wide turn without enough clearance
- Braking suddenly or improperly
- Driving under the influence
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving while distracted
- Failing to conduct required pre-trip safety checks before driving
- Operating a truck while aware that its brakes, tires, lights, or other safety equipment are unsafe
When Can a Truck Driver Be Held Legally Responsible for an Alabama Trucking Accident?
Some people hurt others intentionally. Others don’t mean to cause harm but do so anyway because they were careless. Alabama law calls this type of carelessness “negligence.” To prove negligence in Alabama, you and your Birmingham trucking accident attorney will have to show that you were injured in the crash. Then you will have to establish that:
- The truck driver had a duty to follow certain rules,
- The truck driver did not follow those rules, and
- The truck driver’s failure to follow those rules directly led to your injuries.
As to duty, both federal and Alabama law have guidelines that semi-truck drivers must follow. For example, federal law establishes strict limits on how long truck drivers can drive without a sleep or rest break. Proving that the driver in your case ignored these rules could help your negligence case. Your Alabama trucking accident lawyer can help you prove this by using evidence such as:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Legally mandated driving records and logs
- Photos and videos of the crash, including dashcam, traffic-camera, or surveillance footage
- Physical evidence such as vehicle damage, skid marks, and debris
- The truck’s electronic data recorder (“black box”)
- Cell phone records
- Dispatch communications
- Inspection records
- Loading records and documentation
- Driver qualification and safety records
- Drug and alcohol test results
Could the Trucking Company Also Be Responsible for the Driver’s Unsafe Actions?
Possibly. Many different people and companies play a role in getting trucks on the road. As such, a wide range of people can be responsible for trucking accidents.
For example, assume that a truck driver hit someone because they were sleepy. If there is proof that the driver was speeding because their employer told them not to follow federal rules on sleep or maximum hours, the employer could be responsible. Similarly, there are companies that specialize in loading trucks. If an accident happens due to overloading or improper loading, the cargo loading company could be at fault. Your Birmingham truck injury attorney can tell you more.
Contact Collins Law After an Birmingham Truck Accident
Trucking accidents can cause serious, life-changing injuries, and unsafe truck drivers can be a major cause of these crashes. People who have been hurt by a truck driver’s negligent actions have legal rights. An experienced Birmingham trucking accident attorney can help an injured person by:
- Talking to insurance companies on your behalf
- Locating and preserving key evidence such as videos and trucking company records
- Hiring experts on medical conditions and accident reconstruction
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, contact Collins Law, LLC. Our team has years of experience handling Birmingham trucking accidents. To learn more about what the Collins Law team can do for you, call 205-588-1411 or use our online form today to schedule a free consultation.
