Determining the liability in an accident involving a large truck can be a difficult and confusing matter. Some drivers are contractors themselves and thus solely liable in an accident. No matter the liability, only one thing remains constant: accidents involving large trucks like 18-wheelers often result in serious injury or even death. Knowing who is responsible is a key to getting just compensation, especially since accidents involving large trucks are on the rise as the South Florida Reporter reports.
Truck accidents are rising across the globe. Places like Australia, Asia, the United States, and mainland Europe are seeing the numbers of accidents increase each year. In the United States alone, there are some 500,000 trucking accidents annually. Five thousand, or 1% of these accidents are fatal. For every one-hundred people in the U.S., there are two deaths and more than fifty injuries due to trucking accidents.
The rise in trucking accidents is caused by several factors:
- Drivers who are exhausted may be more likely to exercise poor judgment.
- Truck drivers may follow ineffective safety procedures.
- The driver’s vehicle is malfunctioning or improperly maintained.
Truck drivers are urged to take safety precautions to ensure that they are not involved in an accident that could put their financial security or their company at risk for liability. The first tip, of course, is to ensure that the vehicle is properly maintained and is roadworthy before beginning a trip. They should also ensure that they have the proper insurance for all states that they travel through and in. Finally, drivers should also never drive for more than eight hours straight.
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How Can Truckers NOT Be Insured? Insurance Rules in Florida Truck Crashes After surviving a truck crash in Florida, you may think the worst is over. You’ve been injured and the pain is intense, but there’s no way you’re going to have to pay for your injuries… right? Believe it or not, there have been cases where victims of truck accidents had to pay for their injuries...
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