Reasons Truck Drivers Might Lose Control of Their Trucks

When drivers lose control of their trucks, serious accidents and injuries can result. The injured accident victim could then file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault truck driver and/or the trucking company that employs the driver.

Large trucks, big rigs, and tractor-trailers frequent San Francisco roadways every day. 

The operators of these large trucks have a duty to drive in a reasonable, safe, and careful manner at all times. When truck drivers do not operate their large vehicles safely, they might lose control – resulting in a forceful collision with a smaller vehicle. When this happens, it is typically the driver and occupants of the smaller vehicle who suffer the more serious injuries in the accident. This is especially true if the truck is operating at a high rate of speed or down a hill just prior to the collision.

Truck accidents can result in extremely serious injuries, including broken bones, traumatic head and brain injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, and paralysis injuries. If you have been injured in a truck accident where the truck driver lost control of his or her vehicle, then you might be in a position to file a claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver and/or the trucking company that employs the driver.

The knowledgeable and experienced San Francisco truck accident lawyers at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. can assist you with all aspects of your truck accident claim. Please speak with us today to learn more about how we can help.

Ways that Truck Operators Can Lose Control of Their Vehicles

Large trucks, eighteen-wheelers, and tractor-trailers can weigh many tons. The individual who is in charge of all of that tonnage is the truck operator. When truck drivers fail to operate their vehicles in a safe and careful manner, they may lose control and bring about a collision with another vehicle. 

One way that truck drivers can lose control of their vehicles is by failing to abide by California traffic laws, as well as state and federal motor carrier regulations that are in place. For example, when truck drivers exceed the speed limit – especially when they are going down a steep hill –  their brakes could give out, and they might lose control of the truck. Moreover, when large trucks travel at a high rate of speed in wet weather conditions, their drivers may be unable to stop quickly due to hydroplaning. 

Truck drivers can also lose control of their vehicles when they try to negotiate a sharp turn at a high rate of speed. When they do this, the truck could roll over on its side or careen out of control, impacting another vehicle and causing the occupants to suffer serious injuries.

Truck drivers and trucking companies are also responsible for making sure that the truck and trailer components are properly maintained at all times. This includes making sure that all steering and braking mechanisms are in their proper working order. When these systems malfunction, the truck driver might lose control of his or her vehicle and cause a collision.

Finally, truck drivers can lose control of their vehicles when they engage in distracted driving. Distracted driving usually occurs when a truck operator uses an electronic device, such as a cellular phone or tablet, to send text messages or make phone calls while trying to drive. When a truck operator takes his or her eyes off the road, even for a split second, he or she could fail to notice a smaller vehicle and collide with it unexpectedly.

If you or a person you love has been injured in a truck accident that occurred in one of these circumstances, a knowledgeable San Francisco truck accident lawyer can assist you with pursuing your claim for monetary compensation and damages. 

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident?

When a San Francisco truck driver loses control of his or her vehicle while on the road – and an accident occurs – there are several individuals who could be held responsible. Obviously, the individual who is operating the truck at the time of the accident could be deemed liable for any resulting injuries. 

In order to prove that a truck driver is responsible for an accident, the accident victim has the burden of proof. The accident victim, therefore, must show that the truck driver was acting unreasonably under the circumstances. This usually means that the driver did something that a reasonable person would not have done, or failed to do something that a reasonable person would have done, under the circumstances. The truck driver, for example, might have grossly exceeded the posted speed limit or driven too fast for the weather conditions. In addition, the accident victim must show that the truck driver’s negligence led to the accident, which in turn led to his or her injuries and other damages.

In addition to the negligent truck driver, the trucking company that employs the driver could also be deemed vicariously liable for the truck driver’s negligence under an agency theory. In addition, if the truck driver had a series of prior moving violations or a history of causing accidents, the trucking company could be liable for negligent hiring, retention, or supervision over the problematic truck driver.

Finally, in some instances, large trucks careen out of control because of maintenance issues or defective parts. If the truck had recently been repaired and an expert can show that the truck accident likely occurred because of defective repair work, then the accident victim could file a claim or lawsuit against the repair facility, naming it as a defendant. 

In addition, truck drivers may lose control of their vehicles when steering columns and braking mechanisms are not designed properly. If an expert determines that negligent manufacturing or design work played a part in your accident, then you could potentially name the parts manufacturer or distributor as a defendant in your negligence claim.

Call a Knowledgeable San Francisco Truck Accident Lawyer about Your Legal Matter Today

The experienced legal team at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc., is ready to assist you with pursuing monetary compensation for the injuries that you suffered in your truck accident. To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a San Francisco truck accident attorney, please call us at (415) 433-0444 or contact us online today.