Many semi-truck accidents happen because drivers themselves make mistakes. But it’s unfair to these drivers to assume that this is always the case. There are also many accidents where drivers were operating the vehicle safely and something outside of their control caused the crash.
In cases like these, truck drivers may be injured and interested in seeking workers’ comp benefits. That’s why it’s so important to actually identify the root causes of the crash. Below are a few potential examples.
Road and weather conditions
First of all, the road conditions can be poor if the road has not been properly maintained or if it was designed incorrectly. Weather conditions can also make roads more dangerous; some truck accidents happen when vehicles slide on the ice. Drivers need to adjust their speed to account for weather conditions, but nothing guarantees that those conditions won’t cause an accident.
Vehicle design and maintenance
Additionally, the maintenance or design of the truck itself could be faulty and cause an accident. In some cases, trucks are not properly maintained by the company, so the driver is in danger when systems – such as the brakes or the power steering – fail while the truck is in motion.
Poor loading practices
Finally, some truck accidents happen, because the trucks have been loaded incorrectly. This can lead to a load shift, which unbalances the vehicle. For instance, a strap used to hold the load in place may not have been attached properly. When it disconnects and the load unexpectedly shifts, the truck can go out of control.
As noted, drivers may be injured in these accidents on the job, and workers’ compensation is supposed to be there to help with their recovery. If a workers’ comp claim isn’t going well, it may be time to get legal guidance.