Hidden Risks When Driving a Moving Truck
We see moving trucks every day in driveways near our homes and along the highway. Many of us will be using one to move to a new state in the near future. Beyond that, most people don’t think much about the risks inherent in moving trucks. Mostly, unless you’ve driven one, it is rare that you would. For those of us who have, the risks are all too obvious. Let’s delve into the many reasons moving trucks are involved in accidents and how to obtain compensation for injuries caused by negligence.
New Orleans Truck Accident Attorney
Whether you’ve been injured by a negligent driver behind the wheel of a moving van or hurt by lack of maintenance for a moving truck you’ve rented, the Olinde Law Firm will help you recover the damages the crash caused. With over 28 years of experience, the Olinde Law Firm can help you. Set up a free case review by calling (800) 587-1889 or contact us online. Call as soon as possible after an accident since evidence may disappear, and establishing liability may be difficult.
Why Do Moving Truck Accidents Occur?
Many moving truck accidents happen due to driver and company errors. Let’s review the most common errors:
- Speeding: This is a common error made by truck drivers and makes it difficult for them to avoid an accident by stopping before it happens. If you are trying to avoid hitting the car in front of your truck, you must consider momentum and the factors that preside over it. One of them is speed and the other is weight. Stopping a truck that is traveling at a high rate of speed or even going at the speed limit in inclement weather is extremely difficult. It is important to know how your truck will react under all conditions before taking to the highway.
- Training: This is imperative if you are going to drive and load a moving truck safely. Companies don’t always train their truckers, and people who rent moving trucks are largely untrained. This is a prerequisite for disaster.
- Distracted driving: This is a problem shared by professional and non-professional moving truck drivers. Moving often means that the destination is not well-known nor is the route used to get there. When this happens, the driver may be on the GPS frequently, taking their eyes off the road.
- Blind spots: These are areas around the truck where the driver cannot see other vehicles. Since professional and non-professional drivers of moving trucks are not required to have a CDL license, using mirrors to drive safely may not be familiar to them.
- Cargo: Packing a moving truck is a problem if you have little training in loading cargo. The items must be properly secured since when they move around as the truck is moving, the truck’s balance can be upset. This can lead to serious accidents.
- Poor maintenance: The company that owns the truck is required to have the vehicle undergo consistent maintenance and be successfully inspected on a regular basis with needed repairs made. In many instances, mechanical problems may be unnoticed and not fixed. The renter of a moving van should ask about the maintenance schedule and whether repairs were made before heading out. It is also important to check for auto defects.
Who Is Responsible for Moving Truck Accidents?
It depends. The driver or owner of the truck is most likely liable. In addition, companies often push their drivers to travel above the speed limit to get the cargo to its destination quicker. Some owners also fail to maintain the truck while still others do not train their drivers adequately. Alternately, drivers may be at fault for moving truck accidents. Some crashes are due to impaired or reckless drivers.
Legal Assistance in Moving Truck Accidents
If you have been injured in a moving truck accident, turn to the legal team at the Olinde Law Firm for assistance. Call us at (800) 587-1889 any time. Our firm has helped many New Orleans residents obtain the compensation they deserve. Don’t suffer both physical and financial injury by paying for someone else’s negligence.