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Chattanooga roads are constantly filled with different types of motor vehicles, including trucks. The drivers of many of those vehicles are often in a rush to get to their next destination. With so many motorists sharing the road, accidents involving trucks inevitably occur.
If you or a family member suffered harm in a commercial vehicle crash, a skilled truck collision attorney could help you pursue justice for your loss. Our team is experienced and familiar with the common causes of truck accidents in Chattanooga and is available to help you to file your claim for recovery.
Unfortunately, trucking companies regularly set unreasonable expectations for delivery times. Some companies pay their drivers according to how many deliveries they make within a specific time, while others might penalize truckers for failing to reach their destinations on time. This pressure forces truckers to choose between adhering to the speed limit or adding to their paycheck. If an individual sustained injuries because of a speeding driver, an experienced attorney could review the police reports, speak to eyewitnesses, and check to see if the driver had a history of speeding violations to add to the individual’s claim.
Truck routes are frequently tedious and monotonous. Most truckers are by themselves in the cab, so nobody is available to keep them awake if they begin to feel tired while behind the wheel. Although there are federal statutes restricting the number of hours that a trucker can drive, many truckers violate these statutes by continuing to drive for longer than they should, making the truckers more prone to falling asleep and causing accidents.
An experienced local lawyer could examine the driver’s log to see if they exceeded the mandated number of driving hours. They could also speak to other trucking company employees to see if the employer encouraged drivers to drive over the mandated daily limit.
Like all other motorists, truckers can fall prone to common driving distractions, such as texting while driving, eating, drinking, changing the radio station, setting their GPS, or talking to fellow truckers on their radios. In the case of a truck wreck, a party’s legal counsel could help obtain legal access to the trucker’s cellphone records and speak with witnesses about the truck driver’s attentiveness right before the crash.
Although commercial vehicle operators are supposed to undergo routine screenings for drugs and alcohol, some trucks occasionally crash because their drivers are under the influence. If a claimant suspects that impaired driving took place, a skilled attorney in the area could help.
Dedicated legal representatives could review the trucking company’s records to see if they regularly tested their drivers and analyze the company’s hiring policies to see if they adequately screened their drivers. They could also meet with eyewitnesses to see if they observed erratic driving.
Even when all drivers comply with the traffic laws, accidents can still occur due to problems with the trucks. Some truck parts are inherently defective, while others fail over time when they do not receive adequate maintenance and inspection. A dedicated legal team could check to see if there are any outstanding recalls on the truck to help the injured party’s claim and hold the appropriate parties accountable for the wreck.
Local attorneys have had vast experience helping with many of the common causes of truck accidents in Chattanooga. They know how to perform detailed investigations to determine precisely what happened and who bears legal responsibility. Do not hesitate to get a seasoned team on your side who can fight for the compensation you deserve. Reach out today to begin discussing your claim.