Tractor Trailer Accidents in West Virginia

March 30, 2016 | By Colombo Law

Tractor Trailers are the cause of thousands of accidents each year. The impact of these accidents are often devastating, causing serious bodily injury and in many cases, death. There are often a variety of reasons that result in tractor trailer accidents one of which are weather related conditions. Rain, snow, and glare from sun rays are all the result of tractor trailer accidents. collisions with tractor trailers are even more devastating when an accident could have been prevented by exercising care when operating the truck. If you or your loved one have been involved in an accident due to another’s negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney Colombo Law today.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

While weather related conditions are known to cause tractor trailer accidents, negligence is also a major cause of accidents involving trucks. Some common causes of tractor trailer accidents which are linked to negligence include:

• Mechanical problems: Failure to properly maintain a truck and trailer often leads to unintended consequences. Tire blowouts on the highway and break failures are common signs of negligence. Other causes of accidents are faulty or dim brake lights and defective or missing mirrors. Adequate inspection of the different trucking equipment is necessary to ensure safety of the driver and everyone else on the road. Unfortunately, safety is not always the priority. A thorough investigation into the cause of the accident is necessary.
• Compliance problems: There are many restrictions for truck drivers including the length of time a driver can travel without stopping for a break, the number of days a week a truck driver can drive, and the speed restrictions truck drivers must follow. Although these restrictions are in place to ensure safety of the driver and all of the motorists on the road, policies and procedures are often broken. Uncovering an accident related to a compliance violation is often a task too difficult for a layperson because log books are typically altered to reflect compliance. Our experienced attorneys utilize several strategies to expose any inaccuracies.
• Distracted Driving: Truck drivers experience many of the same problems that other drivers experience on the road. Distracted driving is a major problem amongst all drivers and one of the main causes of fatal car accidents throughout the United States. Cell phone use is the number one cause of accidents related to distracted driving. Another common cause of accidents are linked to eating and driving. Distracted driving is even more dangerous for truck drivers as it is nearly impossible to regain control once a trucker loses control due to distractions.

Contact an Experienced Attorney Today

If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident due to the carelessness of a truck driver, contact Colombo Law for an initial consultation. During an initial consultation, one of our experienced attorneys will gather background information, discuss the relevant facts and circumstances of your claim, identify any legal implications, and inform you of all of your legal options. Our attorneys take pride in our ability to provide skilled representation to all of our clients.