Cargo trucks ferry goods that don’t require much horsepower to move around, such as animals, heavy machines, construction material, people, etc. Its primary features include the truck itself, a cargo bed, and sleepers. Speed and mobility are driving factors for using cargo trucks over other vehicles. However, these vehicles are susceptible to crashes.
If you’re involved in an accident with a cargo truck in Brandon, the chances are that you’ll sustain minor to severe injuries, and their impact can be lifelong. A Brandon truck accident attorney from our firm can help you pursue damages from the responsible party.
Why Hire a Brandon Cargo Truck Accident Lawyer?
Attempting to go about seeking compensation without a lawyer can take your focus off your health.
Cargo truck accident lawyers know all the stalling tactics and refusal to pay victims. They can help you file a claim or lawsuit while you rest and recuperate.
Causes of Cargo Truck Accidents
Cargo truck accidents can involve driver errors, including distracted driving, driving while tired, speeding, and failing to adjust the driving style to match road or weather conditions. Such negligence would make a driver, and possibly their employer, liable.
Additionally, defective auto parts can cause accidents. In these cases, a manufacturer may be liable.
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Necessary Evidence for Cargo Truck Case
Once you enlist the services of a cargo truck accident attorney, they’ll proceed to the discovery phase. Your lawyer will conduct independent investigations using experts like accident reconstruction experts, medical experts, etc. Some evidence is not always forthcoming, and your lawyer may have to file Requests for the Production of Documents.
Here are the critical pieces of evidence that will help your case:
Truck Driver Records
Your lawyer must obtain the driver’s work records to see their qualifications and training history. Your lawyer will investigate:
- Whether the driver has completed the mandatory training
- The period the driver has operated cargo trucks
- How the company monitors progress
- The presence of anomalies in the activity logs
- Whether the company mandate drug testing
These are some vital aspects to consider, and the answers lie in the employee’s file. You may also unearth critical information, like a drinking or substance abuse problem that has been ignored by management. Even anger issues are worth noting as such a person could be prone to road rage.
Cargo Truck Information
Besides driver error, the truck may have underlying mechanical issues that contributed to the crash. Modern trucks have sophisticated designs with inbuilt technological systems like a GPS locator. Your lawyer will petition to get communication systems and other onboard systems that can give a sense of what transpired in the minutes leading up to the accident.
Reviewing truck inspection and maintenance files will reveal how often the carrier performs safety checks and what repairs have been made thus far. Evidence of downplaying mechanical issues, for example, would mean a breach of duty of care to the driver and other road users.
Cargo Evidence
Cargo trucks can transport various goods, from flammable liquids to hazardous materials, like corrosives. Understanding what material the car was transporting is vital so experts can determine if loading protocols were followed.
Your lawyer’s investigators will scrutinize the bills of loading, shipper instructions, delivery logs, weight tickets, and other pertinent documents. They’ll be on the lookout for dishonest dealings like falsifying the activity logs to throw off the investigation.
Trucking Firm
Your lawyer will take an in-depth look at the carrier and its business practices. High attrition rates for drivers could point to a talent management issue or something more sinister. Are they hiring unqualified or inexperienced subcontractors to make savings? How robust are their training manuals? Do they obey federal guidelines for trucking companies?
Your lawyer can also argue that the carrier is vicariously liable for the accident. They must prove the trucker was following their employer’s instructions, the carrier exercised the authority to issue orders, and the driver’s actions aligned with their contract.
Dangers of Overloaded Cargo Trucks
As you can see thus far, multiple factors could trigger an accident with a cargo truck. Overloading is a significant cause for concern, and the aftermath is devastating.
From an engineering perspective, here are some reasons why overloading is dangerous:
- Stacking the load too high can obstruct the view of other motorists, and this makes for dangerous driving.
- Cargo may come undone and fall on the road; other motorists may swerve violently and attempt other maneuvers that could trigger accidents.
- Overloaded vehicles have a higher center of gravity, and this heightens the chance of rollover accidents, according to Civil and Environmental Research.
- Extra weight increases tire pressure, and they could blow out.
- Overloaded trucks need more distance and time to come to a complete halt, especially when driving downhill, leaving little to no time for thwarting accidents.
- Stalling or rolling backward is common when driving an overloaded truck up a hill, putting motorists in the following vehicles at a significant disadvantage.
- Losing control is easy as the cargo shifts when switching lanes or negotiating sharp turns.
Contact The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for Legal Counsel
Were you injured in a cargo truck accident? The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you seek restitution to cover medical bills, lost income, prescription medication, and other related costs. We work tirelessly to ensure our clients get the compensation they deserve.
You get responsive legal care and frequent case updates when you hire us. Let us help you with the claim process while recovering from this ordeal.
