Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Our Kansas and Missouri Truck Accident Lawyers
Founded in 2002 by attorney Derek Potts, the Potts Law Firm has a winning combination of proven legal experience and energy. Let our truck accident lawyers put our legal experience and energy to work for you. For a free evaluation of your truck accident claim, contact us toll free at (800) 220-9341 or use our online contact form.
Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the Potts Law Firm provides a free initial consultation to truck accident victims in Kansas City, Missouri; Independence, Missouri; Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; and Olathe, Kansas.
Are large trucks involved in more traffic accidents than other vehicles?
What are examples of truck driver errors that might constitute negligence and be grounds for a lawsuit?
The truck driver who crashed into my car looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. The police report didn’t mention anything about fatigue, but I wonder if driver fatigue might have contributed to the crash. How can I find out?
If the tractor-trailer had a mechanical problem that caused a crash, is the truck driver still at fault?
The truck ran through the red light and caused a multi-vehicle crash. Are brake failures common in truck accidents?
Are large trucks involved in more traffic accidents than other vehicles?
Yes, tractor-trailers, semis, semi-trailers and other 18-wheelers are involved in a disproportionate share of traffic accidents. According to federal statistics, large trucks represent 4 percent of all registered vehicles, but accounted for 8 percent of vehicles involved in fatal crashes. One out of nine fatal traffic accidents involved a large truck, according to the most recent federal data. Typically, occupants of other vehicles involved in collisions with large trucks suffer the brunt of injuries.
What are examples of truck driver errors that might constitute negligence and be grounds for a lawsuit?
Among the most frequently cited causes of crashes involving tractor trailers, semis, flatbeds and other 18-wheelers are braking failure, driving too fast for conditions, speeding, tailgating, inattention, failure to stop or yield and fatigued driving. A truck accident may have several contributing factors. A truck accident lawyer with extensive experience handling commercial trucking crashes will investigate the accident and determine all the contributing causes. That will determine the potentially responsible parties that you may name in a lawsuit.
The truck driver who crashed into my car looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. The police report didn’t mention anything about fatigue, but I wonder if driver fatigue might have contributed to the crash. How can I find out?
Driver fatigue is a common contributing factor to truck accidents. Frequently truck drivers are under pressure to cover long distances to deliver goods on tight deadlines. Federal rules limit the number of hours an 18-wheeler driver can operate a big rig each day and each week. But drivers often ignore the rules and stay behind the wheel until they are dangerously fatigued. Driver logs, fuel and toll receipts and cell phone records can track a truck driver’s travel and provide evidence of driver exhaustion and fatigue. You should have an experienced truck accident lawyer evaluate the crash if you were injured. You can receive an initial accident evaluation from a truck accident lawyer at the Potts Law Firm free of charge.
If the tractor-trailer had a mechanical problem that caused a crash, is the truck driver still at fault?
With some 18-wheeler accidents, the truck driver, trucking company and a parts manufacturer may all share responsibility for a crash caused by a mechanical problem. A recent study by Michigan traffic researchers said that 55 percent of large trucks involved in accidents had mechanical violations. The truck driver has a duty to inspect the 18-wheeler and report any equipment problems or safety issues. The trucking company may have cut corners on truck maintenance and failed to do routine checks of the truck brakes and other safety gear. A truck may have had a defective part. Mechanical problems can add complications to a case. At the Potts Law Firm, we consult with trucking industry experts and traffic accident reconstruction specialists to identify mechanical problems and all the contributing causes. That kind of detailed investigations puts us in a stronger position of obtaining the maximum ompensation for our injured clients.
The truck ran through the red light and caused a multi-vehicle crash. Are brake failures common in truck accidents?
Brake failures contribute to many truck accidents. An important 2009 study of causes of truck accidents found that nearly a third of a truck crashes involved brake problems, such as brakes being out of adjustment, brake failure or other problems. The results of a truck’s brake failure can be catastrophic injuries to other motorists. After any serious truck crash, an experienced truck accident attorney will investigate the trucking company’s maintenance practices and whether the truck brakes had been serviced recently.
Contact Our Aggressive Truck Accident Attorneys
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident or lost a loved one in a tractor trailer crash, you need a truck accident lawyer who will advocate aggressively for your legal interests. The Potts Law Firm, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is committed to helping 18-wheeler accident victims and their families who have been harmed by the fault of other motorists.
We represent trucking accident victims in Kansas City, Missouri; Independence, Missouri; Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Olathe, Kansas; and Overland Park, Kansas.
For a free evaluation of your trucking accident and legal rights, contact us toll free at (866) 311-2230 or use our online contact form.
