Even though all drivers need to exercise caution, truck drivers need to be especially aware of the dangers presented when operating large, unwieldy vehicles. For truck drivers, even minor driving errors, such as not signaling before passing another vehicle, can lead to a catastrophic accident and subsequent personal injury claims. One way for truck drivers to prevent such accidents is by identifying the most common causes of truck accidents.

Truck Accidents in Gaithersburg

Truck Accidents Caused By Passenger Vehicle Drivers

“Passenger vehicles” primarily refers to other cars sharing the road with commercial trucks. In personal injury claims involving collisions between automobiles and commercial trucks, the car drivers are sometimes at fault. The most common mistake car drivers make when interacting with commercial trucks is failing to understand the truck’s performance capabilities. These include the truck driver’s limited ability to brake quickly or see other vehicles sharing the road. In addition, car drivers often commit unsafe acts that result in truck accidents and personal injuries. For example, cars sometimes drive in the “No-Zone,” the areas behind and beside a commercial truck where the truck driver has very limited visibility. Car drivers also tend to change lanes suddenly in front of a truck or maneuver to the right of a truck when it is making a right turn. Other personal injury cases involving trucks result from drivers misjudging a truck’s speed and making a left turn at an intersection.

Truck Accidents Caused By Commercial Truck Drivers

Commercial drivers receive specialized training, so most are skilled and patient drivers. However, there are characteristics inherent in the business that can lead to car accidents. For example, some drivers are subjected to systems of compensation that encourage faster vehicle speeds or more hours of continuous vehicle operation. These work incentives can lead to truckers pushing their limits and making careless mistakes to drive faster. Our personal injury lawyers serving Gaithersburg have also handled cases of inadequate training of drivers in regards to driving technique, safety concerns, and defensive driving maneuvers. If a commercial truck driver may be at fault for an accident, the auto accident victims should consult with a personal injury lawyer.

Karen Sussman
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Gaithersburg Personal Injury Attorney
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