Truckers have an important duty to uphold while they’re driving. They must ensure that they’re complying with laws and guidelines governing their industry. Safety always has to be a priority for them. Any trucker who isn’t operating their rig in a safe manner poses a risk to others on the roads.
Many things can contribute to crashes involving semitrucks. While some of these are the fault of the trucker, there are other causes.
Trucker error
Truckers who are driving aggressively are a huge safety risk. The same is true if the trucker is fatigued, impaired or distracted. Truckers should always comply with hours of service regulations and only drive when they’re mentally and physically able.
Other drivers
Other drivers on the roads often do things that can be extremely unsafe. For example, a vehicle that darts in front of the semitruck may cause the trucker to swerve, which can cause them to hit someone in the next lane. The trucker may have to slam on their brakes to stop if that vehicle that darts in front of them is moving too slowly, but they might not be able to stop in time.
Trucking companies
Trucking companies are sometimes at fault for these crashes. Tight deadlines, some of which are unrealistic, can lead truckers to try to drive longer than they should. They may also try to drive at unsafe speeds in order to make a deadline.
These rigs are considerably heavier and larger than most passenger vehicles. This can lead to complete devastation of any vehicle they slam into.
Semitruck crashes can also lead to catastrophic injuries. The victims should ensure they get the medical care they need, but this can be a costly undertaking. Seeking compensation for those damages, as well as others related to the crash can help to ensure the victim doesn’t bear the financial burden. New Jersey law has limits to how long you have to get your case filed, so it’s wise to seek legal guidance as soon as possible.