As you travel to and from your daily destinations, you may be no stranger to sharing Indiana roads with a multitude of others. It might not even be uncommon for you to come across numerous commercial vehicles as they travel around the area transporting products and materials to various locations.
While commercial vehicle drivers may have little desire to pose a threat to your safety, certain aspects of their job might make them more susceptible to error. Should a truck driver begin to exhibit negligent behavior, you could find yourself in the path of danger with little to no chance of escaping to safety.
Types of negligence
Accidents involving commercial vehicles can have disastrous repercussions and there may be a variety of scenarios in which such a vehicle could place your well-being in jeopardy. Some of the most prevalent types of negligence among truck drivers could include:
- Bouts with Fatigue: Demanding schedules leave many truck drivers facing long hours on the road and make them more likely to fall prey to fatigue, and a drowsy truck driver could pose a threat to your safety.
- Driver inattention: Distracted driving can be dangerous under any circumstance, but when it involves someone behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer, the combination could prove catastrophic.
- Reckless behavior: Truck drivers who exhibit behaviors such as excessive speeding or tailgating may suffer a significant reduction in maneuverability and thus run a greater risk of creating an unfortunate scenario.
- Lack of maintenance: Commercial vehicles typically require frequent maintenance, and if a truck goes extended periods without repair, the risk it could break down and cause a potential disaster is ever present.
Regardless of how it happens, if the actions of a truck driver cause an accident, there is a significant chance you could suffer severe or even life-altering harm in the process.
What comes next?
If you suffer serious injuries in a collision involving a commercial vehicle, you might be wondering about the next steps to take to seek accountability and restitution. Since navigating the civil justice system can be intimidating and complex, it might be in your best interests to speak with someone with experience in such matters for advice on the next steps to take. Such guidance could help you better prepare to pursue the full amount of compensation you deserve through a claim against all parties deemed responsible.