Truck accidents can cause life-changing injuries. It can also force survivors into tricky legal ordeals. These wrecks stem from either driver negligence or trucking company oversights, creating multiple paths to seek compensation.
Recent figures show that truck-related crashes cause over a hundred fatalities every year in Missouri. Understanding the different types of negligence can help you protect your rights in the aftermath of a truck accident.
Common causes of truck driver negligence
Driver behavior plays a crucial role in preventing truck accidents on Missouri roads. Here are the primary ways truck drivers may act negligently:
- Distracted driving: Using a phone, eating, drinking or adjusting controls while driving can create dangerous conditions.
- Fatigue: Driving beyond legal hour limits or failing to take required rest breaks can increase accident risks.
- Speeding: Exceeding posted limits or driving too fast for weather conditions can slow reaction time.
- Impaired driving: Operating the truck under the influence of drugs or alcohol hinders judgment and driving ability.
- Loading errors: Poor cargo distribution and unsecured loads can cause trucks to become unstable.
- Maintenance neglect: Drivers who fail to conduct proper inspections or report mechanical issues could put other motorists in danger.
- Traffic violations: Ignoring traffic signs, signals and road rules puts other drivers at serious risk.
These dangerous behaviors often combine with company-level negligence. In turn, these create risky situations on Missouri highways.
How trucking companies contribute to accidents
Many truck accidents are often a result of policies and decisions that put profits first over safety. Watch for these red flags:
- Inadequate driver training
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Unrealistic delivery schedules
- Improper hiring practices
- Failed safety inspections
- Pressure to violate safety regulations
- Lack of proper supervision
- Missing or falsified maintenance records
All these factors can compound and increase the odds of a serious wreck. Your rights deserve protection if drivers’ or companies’ negligence leads to long-term health problems.
A thorough investigation may reveal that several parties were responsible for the accident. Speaking with a Missouri truck accident attorney can help you understand your options if you decide to pursue compensation. With the right support, you could jumpstart your path to recovery and seek justice.