Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
Every year, many people are involved in trucking accidents, some of which cause injuries and some that don’t. In fact, over the past two decades, the number of truck accidents has increased by 20% and approximately 5,000 people alone died in 2002 from these accidents. You may wonder who is responsible for your trucking accident based on what you saw with your own eyes or what other witnesses saw the day it happened. There may be many people involved in these accidents that could be held liable for your injury compensation. The truth is, there are many laws that govern trucking accidents. Because of these laws, certain standards have been established for the trucking companies, owners, and drivers. If these same people refuse to follow the simple standards, they could lose their ability to drive truck altogether. There are many entities who may be held liable in a trucking accident, such as the actual driver, the owner of the truck, the person who leased the truck, the manufacturer of the truck’s equipment, or the shipper or loader of the truck’s cargo. Liability Liability is something that trucking companies have to watch out for, which is why drivers are trained to drive carefully and avoid hazards. Some trucking companies engage in some sly games to avoid liability no matter the cost. For instance, a trucking company may choose to obtain the necessary permits to operate the truck. The company, however, doesn’t own the tractor, trailer, or necessary equipment. It leases instead under an owner or operator. They also hire independent contractors and not actual employees. If the truck becomes involved in an accident and the company is sued, they will play it off by saying that the driver was not the company’s actual employee and they do not own the equipment in full. The good news is, if a trucking company tries to do this to you if you are suing for injuries, federal laws and regulations stand in as a way to help you. If a truck bears the company’s name, then they instantly become responsible for what happens in many ways. Common Accidents Driver error is one of the most common causes of trucking accidents, which can be caused by drug use, speeding, fatigue, distractions, and more. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that action or inaction by drivers was the reason for 88% of crashes. Another reason for these accidents is problems with equipment. Some examples include removing the front brakes, brake failure due to inadequate adjustments, tire blowouts, improper securing of load, defective steering, or improper trailer attachment. Have you been injured in a trucking accident? The trucking industry can be entirely complex, which is why you should have a skilled attorney on your side who has experience with these cases. At RAWA Law Group, we can do just this and get you the compensation you deserve after your accident. We can fight the big-name companies and get to the bottom of who is at fault in your specific case.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and Prevention
Motorcycle accidents are not more frequent than other types of accidents, but they are just as serious and should never be excluded from the ranking. The truth is, motorcyclists should always be aware of the ways that they can protect themselves from a terrible accident on the roadways. This includes understanding the most common ways that motorcycle accidents happen and how they can be prevented. Head-on Collisions: 56% of motorcycle accidents involve a motorcyclist and another vehicle. In 78% of these cases, the car will strike the motorcycle from the front. This can be devastating and, often times, can be fatal to the motorcyclist. Left-Hand Turn Accidents: When cars make left-hand turns, motorcyclists are put in one of the most dangerous situations. The car will typically strike the motorcycle when they are going straight through an intersection, passing the car, or trying to overtake the car. Being that motorcycles are small in size, they are less visible to a turning vehicle and, as such, are more likely to be involved in an accident than two cars. In most of these cases, the vehicle driver is found to be at-fault unless the motorcyclist was speeding. Lane Splitting: If a motorcycle drives between two lanes of stopped traffic, lane splitting occurs. There is usually a close proximity of cars to the motorcycle and cars will not anticipate that a motorcycle will be passing them. Either the motorcyclist or the driver of the vehicle could be found at fault for these accidents. Speeding and Alcohol Use: Almost half of the accidents that involve a single motorcycle are due to speeding or alcohol use. Motorcycles do not offer much in ways of protection to a rider, which is why the results can be deadly. Road Hazards: Hazards on the roadways cause many of the accidents that happen for motorcyclists. Motorcycles are very small, which also makes them unstable in many ways. They could run over potholes, dead animals, slick pavement, and much more. These can all pose serious threats to a motorcyclist. Safety Tips for Motorcyclists Do you want to know how to keep yourself safe? When you receive your motorcycle license, you are agreeing to the rules of the road and understanding for your particular vehicle. However, everybody can use a refresher. Here are some safety tips that you should always remember if you own a motorcycle: You should always have appropriate motorcycle attire. This includes a helmet, bike jacket, gloves, and more. You can prevent a more serious accident and injuries if you have the right equipment for the job. You should never speed, race on the highways, or ride after you have consumed alcohol. When you are making turns with your motorcycle, always be sure that you are keeping a proper eye out for hazards. Always use your own safe driving skills. Be careful of any road conditions that could cause you to lose control or lose sight of what matters on the road. Use horns in case of alarming or bad road conditions. Do you have a motorcycle accident case and believe that somebody else was at fault for your injury? Do you want to speak to an attorney who has experience in motorcycle accidents? Give us a call today and we will help you with your case.