Birmingham, AL Truck Accident Lawyer

When traveling on the highway, nearly everyone has some level of anxiety when driving next to a large truck in a tight area. Much of this fear stems from the possibility of being involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle that could easily crush a passenger vehicle. This fear is warranted because truck accidents occur every day for many reasons. If you or a family member was injured in a serious truck accident, you should consult with an experienced Birmingham truck accident lawyer today.

The Morrison Law Firm has litigated a wide range of truck crash cases, and we are prepared to provide you with the legal representation that you deserve. Our firm understands the difficulty of dealing with a severe injury after a car accident, and we are here for you and your family. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your case, call The Morrison Law Firm at (334) 625-6128, or contact us online.

3 Common Causes of Tractor Trailer Accidents

Tractor trailer accidents and other types of truck accidents can occur under a wide range of circumstances. For example, if a truck driver is not experienced enough, they may lose control over their vehicle while they are traveling in poor weather. While commercial vehicle accidents happen for various reasons, there are some causes of truck accidents that are more prevalent than others. The following is a list of common causes of tractor-trailer accidents.

Tire Blowouts

A tire blowout is when the tire on a vehicle explodes, likely causing the driver of a vehicle to lose control of the vehicle. While tire blowouts can occur quickly, they are typically avoidable if a vehicle’s tires are properly maintained.

One common cause of tire blowouts is an underinflated tire. Truck tires that are not properly inflated will have trouble carrying a large amount of weight that is common with tractor trailers. Combined with the possibility of driving over roads that contain deep potholes and other debris, an underinflated tire is dangerous to have on a truck.

Alternatively, a tire blowout can also occur if a tire has too much air in it. That is why it is important to follow the air pressure guidelines listed in the door frame of a vehicle. However, overinflation and underinflation are not the only causes of tire blowouts. Worn down tires, tires with impurities, and even excessive heat can contribute to a tire blowout.

Truck drivers and their employers must ensure that tires are frequently serviced or repaired to avoid causing an accident due to a blowout. If you are injured due to a truck driver losing control after a tire explosion, the truck driver and their employer may be liable for your injuries.

Overloaded Trailers

An overloaded tractor trailer can cause several issues that may result in a catastrophic car accident. Some trucking companies will overload their trailers so that truck drivers will deliver more items to increase the amount of money they earn in a certain timeframe.

One dangerous result of this practice is that the truck driver will have less control over their vehicle. The truck driver may mistakenly believe that they can still efficiently maneuver their truck with a full trailer, and they could cause an accident when they are unable to stop or switch lanes on time.

Tractor trailers already weigh several tons, placing an excessive amount of weight in the trailer can turn the vehicle into a dangerous weapon that can seriously injure motorists in passenger vehicles. Not only is the overloading of a trailer a crime under certain circumstances, but it may be used as evidence to show a trucking company acted negligently.

Driver Error

Driver error can encompass several different actions that could lead to a trucking accident. For example, if a truck driver is operating their vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, this can seriously affect their reaction times and their ability to make sound decisions behind the wheel.

Another action that may be attributed to driver error is driving while fatigued. Truck driver hours are heavily regulated to ensure that drivers are not working when they should be sleeping. Unfortunately, some truck drivers exceed the maximum working hours to earn more money or because their employer pressured them into disregarding safety guidelines. A truck driver that may be sleeping behind the wheel of a tractor trailer is a danger to every person that must share the road with them.

There are several other causes of trucking accidents that are not discussed in this article, like the malfunction of equipment. Despite how your injuries were caused, our firm is here to help you explore your options against a negligent trucking company.

Work with a Birmingham, AL Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney Today

If you or a family member was severely injured in a trucking accident, you should consult with an experienced Birmingham commercial vehicle accident attorney. Personal injury lawyer Rick Morrison possesses decades of legal experience handling various types of personal injury lawsuits, and he would be proud to use this experience to serve you. You do not have to fight your personal injury claim alone, contact The Morrison Law Firm at (334) 625-6128 for a free legal consultation.