Most truck collision claims are similar to those for automobile wrecks. However, truck collisions are usually much more serious and devastating than automobile crashes because of the weight of the truck. In collisions involving heavy trucks, people killed in them are 14 fatalities a day. In addition, in collisions involving an automobile and a tractor trailer truck, 98% of the fatalities were occupants of the automobile according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
To drive a tractor-trailer in Nebraska, a driver must first obtain a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License). After a driver is licensed they must then periodically re-certify and take continuing education classes. There are a variety of reasons that may cause a collision with a tractor-trailer. Semi-trucks are large and heavy vehicles and can result in serious collisions when truck drivers ignore traffic laws or perform their job negligently. Some of the most common causes are:
- Driving at an unsafe speed
- Cell phone use while driving
- Changing lanes abruptly
- Unsafe driving
- Driver fatigue
- Improper truck and equipment maintenance
- Inadequate training
- Overloading the trailer
- Unsafe weather conditions
In defining a truck collision, the trucks are gross vehicle weight of the truck is at least 10,000 pounds. Many collisions involving big trucks involve drivers that have driven longer than the allowed number of hours, resulting in driver fatigue, driving at excessive speed, driving trucks that are too big or overloaded, or trucks that are improperly maintained especially for brake defects. If you or a loved was injured in a truck collision, then you need proven and experienced personal injury attorneys.
For additional information about our ability to represent your interests effectively in a Nebraska truck accident lawsuit, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Friedman Law Offices, P.C., L.L.O. in Lincoln.