When a tractor-trailer truck rolls over, it can cause a great deal of damage, especially if the truck collides with other vehicles. If you were involved in a rollover accident with a commercial truck, then you might have significant injuries that required hospitalization and surgery. You might have difficulty returning to work or providing for your family while you recover. The good news is that you might be able to recover compensation for your losses by filing a truck accident lawsuit against the truck driver or trucking company. But before you can do that, it is important to understand what caused the accident.
Negligence Leading to Truck Rollover Accidents
There are many different factors that can contribute to a commercial truck rollover accident. Some of the most common reasons include:
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Unsecured Loads: If a truck’s cargo is not properly secured, then it can shift during transport. This can throw off the balance of the truck, making it more likely to tip over, especially when a truck driver is traveling at high speeds or negotiating tight corners.
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Poorly Maintained Vehicles: If a truck’s brakes are not working properly or if its tires are worn, this may cause the driver to lose control, leading to a rollover. Worn truck tires may also blow out, and this can lead a trailer to tip over.
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Speeding: When a truck is going too fast for road or weather conditions, this increases the risk that the driver will become involved in an accident. When traveling at high speeds on a highway or freeway, a truck driver may attempt to make a sudden lane change or slow down due to traffic, and this can easily cause them to lose control and roll over.
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Distracted Driving: If a truck driver is texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise not paying attention to the road, then they may be unaware of conditions on the road around them. If they are required to act quickly to avoid other vehicles or obstacles in the road, swerving suddenly may lead to a rollover accident.
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Fatigue: When a truck driver is tired, this can make them more likely to fall asleep at the wheel or make mistakes while driving. This may cause a truck driver to leave the road and roll over on softer ground, or fail to negotiate a curve, causing the truck to tip over after colliding with a guardrail or median barrier.
Options for Recovering Compensation After a Truck Rollover Accident
If you or someone you know has been injured in a commercial truck rollover accident, you may be wondering what legal options are available to help you recover compensation for your losses. The first step is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help investigate the accident and determine who might be held liable. In many cases, multiple parties may be responsible for an accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the truck or its parts if there was a mechanical defect present. Once liability has been determined, your attorney can help you pursue compensation from the at-fault party, including by filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact a Champaign Truck Rollover Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a commercial truck rollover accident, then you should speak with an experienced Bloomington truck accident lawyer at Kanoski Bresney about your case. We will investigate the accident and help you understand what caused it. We will then help you fight for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Contact our office today at 888-826-8682 for a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3256782/
https://www.atbs.com/post/preventing-truck-rollovers