Truck Accident Causes in Virginia
After a collision occurs involving a commercial motor vehicle, it is important to get an accurate report of the truck accident causes. In Virginia, a driver can be held legally liable if his actions cause a crash to occur. The trucking company may also be held responsible for an accident caused by its drivers or by the company’s own negligence. An accident attorney can help you to determine the cause of you crash and whether you have the right to compensation for your losses.
Common Truck Accident Causes in Virginia
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted a large-scale study of truck accident causes to determine common reasons for crashes. The study revealed that in two-vehicle crashes involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle, the truck was the cause of the crash in approximately 44 percent of cases.
In 3/4 of all of the crashes caused by a truck, a decision made by the driver or a driver’s failure to pay attention was the ‘critical reason’ why the crash occurred.
The FMCSA identified many of the different truck driver actions that could lead to a crash including:
- Prescription, over-the-counter, and/or illegal drug use
- Alcohol use
- Drivers traveling too fast for conditions on the road
- Lack of familiarity with the roadway or lack of familiarity with the vehicle
- A failure to fully and accurately survey and respond to road conditions
- Driver fatigue
- Illegal maneuvers such as unsafe lane changes
- Driver distraction including both in-vehicle distractions (cell phones and electronics) and external distractions
- Aggressive driving actions such as weaving in and out of traffic or tailgating
- Making false assumptions about what other motorists will do
In addition to driver actions, problems with the truck and the road environment are also common truck accident causes in Virginia and nationwide. Other factors identified by the FMCSA as top reasons for truck collisions include:
- Problems with roadways
- Interruption of the flow of traffic (such as another accident in the path of the truck)
- Bad weather
- Shifting cargo or a failure to adequately secure cargo
- Faulty truck brakes or poorly maintained truck parts
These are just some of many examples of truck accident causes. In Virginia, victims may be able to sue a driver, a trucking company, a vehicle mechanic or manufacturer, or a road designer depending upon the reason the accident occurred.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer in Virginia Can Help
A Virginia truck accident lawyer can help you to prove the cause of a truck accident. In Virginia, drivers are expected to obey state driving safety laws. The FMCSA also regulates most large trucks and imposes myriad safety rules including requirements for routine inspections and limits on the hours a trucker can drive before taking a rest break.
If a driver violated any FMCSA regulations, state, or federal laws,this can be used to prove negligence. You can also prove negligence by showing a reasonable driver would have been more careful.
If you can prove the trucker or other responsible party was negligent in court, you should be compensated for both economic and non-economic losses. Your Virginia truck accident lawyer can help you to obtain police reports, driver logs, black box data, and other evidence to help convince an insurance company or a jury that you are entitled to compensation for your losses.
To learn more about proving truck accident causes in Virginia and for help filing a claim for compensation, contact an attorney today.
