Why truck accidents are different
Truck accident cases are more complex than ordinary car crashes. Multiple parties may be liable, federal regulations apply, and trucking companies often send investigators to the scene within hours.
You need a lawyer who understands the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), electronic logging devices (ELDs), maintenance records, and the tactics trucking insurers use to minimize claims.
Common causes of truck accidents
- Driver fatigue and Hours-of-Service violations
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo
- Inadequate maintenance or defective brakes/tires
- Speeding and unsafe lane changes
- Failure to adjust to weather or road conditions
- Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers
Potentially liable parties
Unlike a typical car accident, liability in a truck crash may extend beyond the driver:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The cargo loading company
- The truck or parts manufacturer
- A maintenance or repair contractor
- A government entity responsible for road design
Trucking evidence we preserve
- Driver logbooks and electronic logging device data
- Black box / engine control module data
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Dashcam and surveillance footage
- Driver qualification files and training records
- Witness statements and accident reconstruction reports