Override Truck Accidents: What Are They And Who May Be At Fault?
When driving down the highway, no one ever expects to be hit by a big truck, but the fact of the matter is, these accidents do happen. With the number of big trucks on the road these days growing larger and larger, the potential for accidents grows with it. Any type of accident with a big truck can be devastating and cause serious injury, but certain types of accidents are more serious than others.
One of the most serious types of accidents is called a truck override accident. This occurs when a big truck runs over another vehicle. The potential for serious bodily injury and death is very high with these accidents.
Unlike a normal vehicle collision, where two vehicles impact one another, with the size of a big truck, there is virtually no impact to the truck, it simply runs over and crushes the other vehicle. Even the largest civilian vehicles can’t stand up to a tractor-trailer.
Understanding how these accidents work, and knowing who may be at fault will help you get the compensation you deserve should you be involved in an override truck accident.
What Causes an Override Truck Accident?
Operating large trucks takes an immense amount of skill and attention to detail. This means that factors that interfere with the proper operation of that vehicle can lead to an accident in which the victim is severely injured. There are 3 main causes of override accidents, they are:
Driver Error – While they are highly trained and qualified, truck drivers are not perfect. One of the most common causes of these types of accidents is a simple mistake or a few seconds of not paying attention.
Poor Weather – These large trucks are difficult to maneuver even under ideal conditions, so when the weather decides to take a turn for the worse, it can make driving even more hazardous. Wet or icy roads, low visibility, or other conditions are factors that contribute to a number of accidents, especially when traveling at high speeds.
Trucking Company Negligence – In order for these large trucks to operate properly, they have to be kept in good shape. When they aren’t, it increases the risk of something going wrong, and that could lead to an accident. One example is if the brakes aren’t maintained on a vehicle, it makes it more likely that a truck will not be able to stop properly, which could lead to them hitting and crushing a smaller vehicle.
Who is At Fault For an Override Accident?
It may seem easy to determine who is at fault in an override accident. The truth is, it is not always the truck driver who is held liable for an accident.
In fact, most of the time the trucking company is held liable based on a rule that states that the superior is in charge of the actions of the employee. In other words, if the accident was caused by an employee and the employee was doing their job to the best of their ability, then any liability falls to the employer.
If the driver was found to be operating the vehicle outside of the guidelines of their job or in a purposely malicious way, such as acting in a way that would be considered road rage, then the driver would be held responsible.
If you are involved in one of these types of crashes, then you only have a limited amount of time to file your case and start gathering evidence. It’s important to get a personal injury attorney on your side right away so that you have the help you need to get compensation.
Contact Hall Law P.A.
You don’t have to suffer alone after your accident. Let the professionals at Hall Law P.A. help you get the money you deserve so that you can focus less on bills and expenses and more on what matters most, your recovery. Contact us today!