Recently, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins lost his life in a tragic truck accident. According to CNN, Haskins was walking along Interstate 595 in Broward County, Florida when he was hit by a dump truck. Other reports have stated that Haskins car had run out of gas, and he was attempting to cross I-595 on his way to get gas for his vehicle. Haskins died from the injuries he sustained in the collision. Reportedly, he was in South Florida training with his teammates to prepare for the upcoming NFL season. At the time of this report, no further details have emerged regarding the wreck, including who is at fault for the deadly crash.
How a Trucker’s Negligence Can Lead to a Truck Accident
While fault in the tragic incident involving Dwayne Haskins has yet to be determined, this incident serves as a stunning reminder of the dangers of sharing the road with large trucks. Truck drivers, like drivers of passenger vehicles, make mistakes while behind the wheel. However, because of the size of trucks, even a trucker’s minor mistakes can lead to devastating consequences. Here are a few examples of how a truck driver’s negligence can result in a truck accident:
- Speeding – Truck drivers should avoid speeding at all costs. The size of their vehicles makes stopping or maneuvering quickly difficult, which can lead to collisions. In many cases, truckers speed because they are given tight, or even unrealistic, deadlines for making pickups and deliveries. In those instances, trucking companies are at least partially to blame for causing these types of truck crashes.
- Fatigue – Truck drivers are supposed to be given a certain amount of time to rest before heading back out on the road. If they try to drive while tired, it can be extremely dangerous. A truck flying down the highway with its driver asleep at the wheel could have catastrophic consequences. Like speeding, trucking companies can be at least partially to blame for these types of wrecks under certain circumstances. If a trucking company pressured a driver to forego sleep to meet a delivery or pickup deadline, they deserve a share of the fault if it results in a truck accident.
- Poor Training – In some cases, truckers have been poorly trained and make mistakes out on the road because they don’t know better. Unfortunately, the trucker and/or others they share the road with often pay the price for their lack of proper training.
- Drunk or Drugged Driving – No one, especially truckers, should get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It will impair their ability to drive properly, including slowing their reaction time and causing them to make poor decisions. It’s often not a matter of if a drunk or drugged driver will cause an accident, but when.
- Distracted Driving – Driving while texting or on the phone, is a no-no for all drivers. Anytime a driver takes their eyes and/or attention off the road, it opens the door for a possible traffic accident.
- Poor Maintenance – Trucks should never hit the road unless they are in top condition. The last thing anyone wants is for a truck to be heading down the highway and have a tire blowout or have its brakes fail.
- Improperly Loaded Cargo – Truck cargo must be properly loaded and secured. In addition, cargo must not be the wrong weight or packed in an off-balance way. Trucks face rough terrain, including sharp turns, curvy highways, steep roadways, and bad weather, like high winds. If a truck’s cargo isn’t secure, it could fall off and hit other vehicles. If a truck’s cargo is too heavy, it could make it difficult for the truck to stop properly or travel up and down steep roadways safely. If a truck’s cargo is not packed in a balanced way, the truck could be at risk of tipping over on sharp turns or in high winds.
Contact Us to Speak with Our Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys for Free
Victims and their families shouldn’t have to deal with the aftermath of a truck accident on their own. Truckers, trucking companies, their insurers, and their legal teams will be focused on one thing following a truck crash, which is to avoid accepting blame. In some cases, trucking companies may even try to shift blame to the victim. Without the assistance of an experienced truck accident attorney, victims and their families may be fighting a losing battle.
At Rash Mueller, we know what it takes to win truck accident cases. We have helped clients face off against trucking companies and hold them accountable for their negligence, including recovering the compensation they need for loss of income, hospital bills, future medical costs, and living expenses. We fight for our clients like we would fight for ourselves or someone we love in the same situation. We understand all that is at stake for our clients and their families. Fortunately, our clients can rest assured knowing we have a history of getting the job done.
To schedule a free & confidential consultation with our experienced truck accident lawyers, give us a call at (954) 914-7116 or contact us online.