Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Harrisonburg
Tractor-trailer drivers are required by both state and federal laws to undergo extensive training before they are allowed to operate a big rig on public roads. Unfortunately, even people with Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) in good standing can make unintentional mistakes behind the wheel—and even worse, some trucking companies are less scrupulous than they should be about hiring only responsible and qualified employees to drive for them.
Most common causes of truck accidents in Harrisonburg can be traced back to one of those two core issues, or occasionally both at once. Either way, if you are dealing with serious injuries stemming from a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence, a truck accident lawyer from Price Benowitz can be the ally you need to proactively demand the compensation you deserve.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is among the most common causes of both commercial truck crashes in Harrisonburg and of all other types of auto accidents nationwide. Distraction from cell phones and smartphones is a particularly serious issue in this regard, but it is possible to file a civil suit against a truck driver for using their radio, reading a map or GPS display, talking to a passenger, or eating and drinking if they directly cause a wreck through their inattention.
Traffic Infractions
The basic rules of the road are the same for all Virginia drivers and are not subject to subjective interpretation, yet some truck drivers nevertheless choose to violate them and end up causing life-altering collisions. Fortunately, a police accident report that includes a citation for speeding, failure to yield, drunk driving, or any other traffic offense issued against a negligent trucker can be very strong evidence to support an ensuing civil claim.
Lack of Experience
Even though truck drivers must obtain CDLs with specific endorsements to operate the model(s) of commercial vehicles they will use while working, no amount of training can replace on-the-road experience. Unfortunately, this means that it is more common for newer truck drivers to cause traffic accidents in Harrisonburg through improper braking, poor load management, or just losing control of their truck at high speed than it is for veteran truckers to do the same
Insufficient Maintenance
Finally, it is worth noting that not all tractor-trailer wrecks stem solely or even primarily from misconduct by the driver of the truck involved. If necessary, a skilled legal professional may be able to assign fault for a serious truck crash to a mechanic who failed to conduct regular high-quality service on a semi-truck, a manufacturer that produced defective truck components, or a trucking company that failed to ensure their fleet was in good working order prior to sending trucks out on routes.
A Harrisonburg Attorney Can Help File Suit Over Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Regardless of whether you were hurt through one of these common causes of truck accidents in Harrisonburg or by less common means, you have the right to seek civil restitution from anyone whose irresponsible actions directly led to you sustaining serious injury. That said, you will also likely have a hard time obtaining the best possible result—or possibly even getting any civil compensation at all—if you try to navigate the Commonwealth’s civil court system entirely on your own.
A member of the Price Benowitz team can discuss your recovery options with you and offer preliminary guidance about next steps during a free case evaluation. Schedule yours by calling today.
