While it may seem like something that happens in the movies, runaway truck accidents occur for many reasons, and when they do, they can cause serious and life-threatening accidents. In situations where you are hurt because of a truck losing control like this, it is critical to seek out an attorney who will help you determine who was at fault, why this accident happened, and who should pay for your losses. Talk to a Phoenix truck accident attorney today.
Why Runaway Truck Accidents Happen
Runaway truck accidents occur for a wide range of reasons, but most commonly include one of the following:
- Poor braking techniques engaged by the truck driver
- Faulty truck parts
- Negligent hiring of a driver without skill or with a background of poor performance
- Lack of training for the driver with the specific type of truck
- Speeding
- Incorrect air pressure in the tires
- Worn-out brake pads
- Poor brake maintenance and upkeep
- Poorly adjusted brakes
- Loss of brake fluid
- Overheating of brake pads
In these situations, the truck driver cannot safely stop the vehicle from moving. When there is a runaway truck accident, it is often due to the truck driver’s inability to stop a truck that has lost control fast enough.
Truck drivers know the steps to take to bring these vehicles back under control even when the truck’s brakes fail. For example, most highways have runaway truck ramps, which are steep inclines located along the side of the roadways that are typically not paved. These inclines allow a truck driver to use the ramp to stop the truck safely. That may help prevent injuries to others as a result.
Who Is Responsible for a Runaway Truck Accident?
The Federal Motor Car Safety Administration states that about 30% of all serious truck accidents involve some type of brake failure. When you consider that and learn that it is often a preventable accident, it can quickly become frustrating for a victim. One of the first steps your attorney will take is to determine who is at fault. To do that, the attorney will look at evidence in the case that can show what happened specifically. Some of the potential parties that may be responsible include:
- The truck driver if they are driving recklessly or fails to control a vehicle causing the accident
- The truck owner, if that is different from the driver, who failed to maintain the brakes
- The trucking company employing a driver who does not have the necessary skills to operate the vehicle
- The truck manufacturer, if you can show a truck braking failure was due to manufacturing defects and failures
- Third parties that may have put the truck at risk, such as cargo crews who failed to load it properly or another driver who ran the truck off the road
In every situation, your attorney will need to use commercial truck logs, research, driver’s medical records, witness statements, and other data to truly have an idea of what occurred. Once they understand what happened, they can then determine who to hold responsible.
If you were hurt as a result of a runaway truck accident, we strongly encourage you to contact our truck accident attorney at Sargon Law Group. Let us provide you with a free consultation and start investigating what happened to cause your injuries and losses. Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers are here to help you navigate your rights in these cases.