When trucking routes are poorly planned, disastrous accidents with injuries and fatalities may occur. If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one in a commercial vehicle crash, call the truck accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm. We will fight for your justice. With over 400 legal professionals, we’ve recovered over $1 billion for clients. Call us 24/7 at (800) 501-3011.
Table of contents
- Justice After a Truck Accident Involving Route Planning
- Legal Implications of Negligent Truck Routes
- Proof of Trucking Company Negligence
- Verifying Truck Driver Negligence
- Poorly Planned Truck Route Statistics
- Types of Accidents Due to Poorly Planned Routes
- Types of Injuries in a Poorly Planned Truck Route Accident
- Truckers Have a Duty to Prevent Poorly Planned Truck Routes
- Start a Free Case Review To Determine What Caused The Trucking Crash
Justice After a Truck Accident Involving Route Planning
After a truck crash where poorly planned routes may have contributed, the truck accident injury attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm can help victims navigate the often challenging legal process and seek the compensation you deserve.
We can provide valuable assistance in several ways, including:
- Investigating the accident: Our trucking attorneys can thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, and interview witnesses to build a strong case.
- Determining liability: Determining who is at fault can be complex in a truck accident. Our truck accident law firm can examine the facts of the case and determine who is responsible for the accident.
- Calculating damages: We can evaluate the extent of the victim’s injuries and calculate the appropriate amount of compensation to seek in a legal claim.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming and stressful, especially when trying to recover from injuries. Our commercial vehicle accident attorneys can handle negotiations with insurance companies on behalf of the victim and aim to ensure that you receive a fair truck accident settlement.
- Representing the victim in court: If a settlement is unreachable, our trucking attorneys can fight for your rights and interests.
- Providing legal guidance and support: A truck accident can be traumatic and overwhelming. Our truck crash lawyers can provide legal advice and support to victims and their families throughout the legal process.
Legal Implications of Negligent Truck Routes
When accidents occur due to poorly planned truck routes, there may be legal implications for the parties involved. Negligence refers to the failure to take reasonable care, resulting in harm or damage to others. Negligence can be due to several parties in truck accidents, including:
- Trucking Companies: Trucking companies must train their drivers and keep their vehicles in good condition. They also have a responsibility to plan safe routes for their drivers. Trucking companies may be liable for accidents due to poorly planned routes when they fail to meet these responsibilities.
- Drivers: Truck drivers must operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws. Without proper planning, drivers may be more likely to cause accidents. Drivers involved in accidents due to poorly planned routes may be liable for damages.
- Government Entities: Local and state governments maintain safe roads and highways. Government entities may be liable for accidents due to poorly planned routes when roads are improperly maintained or cannot accommodate large trucks.
Proof of Trucking Company Negligence
Trucking companies can be held liable for accidents due to poorly planned truck routes. For example, if a trucking company forces its drivers to take a path known as unsafe or unsuitable for trucks, and an accident occurs, the trucking company could be responsible for damages.
To establish negligence, the injured plaintiff must show that the trucking company breached a duty of care and that the breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries or damages.
The duty of care for trucking companies includes ensuring their drivers’ qualifications, that their vehicles are maintained and inspected regularly, and that they plan safe routes for their drivers. A team of investigators may take steps to verify negligence by checking logs, inspection results, and maintenance records.
A trucking company must meet these responsibilities to avoid liability for accidents due to poorly planned routes.
Verifying Truck Driver Negligence
Truck drivers can also be liable for accidents due to poorly planned truck routes. A truck accident lawsuit must show that the driver breached their duty of care to operate the truck safely and caused harm to the plaintiff.
The duty of care for truck drivers includes operating their vehicles safely and within the bounds of traffic laws and following the directions of their employer or dispatcher. When drivers are tired or distracted, they may be more likely to cause accidents.
If a driver causes an accident due to poor judgment or failure to operate the truck safely, they may be held liable for any damages or injuries that result. For example, suppose a driver is forced to take an alternate route due to a poorly planned truck route and causes an accident due to unfamiliarity with the road. In that case, they may be liable for damages or injuries.
Poorly Planned Truck Route Statistics
Accidents caused by poorly planned truck routes can have serious consequences, leading to injuries, fatalities, and property damage. While there is limited data specifically on accidents caused by poorly designed truck routes, many statistics illustrate the dangers of big rig accidents.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 4,119 fatal crashes involving large trucks in 2019 resulted in 4,761 deaths.[1] Additionally, there were 67,633 injury crashes involving large trucks, resulting in 97,000 injuries.
A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that the most common causes of fatal truck accidents were related to driver behavior, such as distracted driving and speeding [2]. However, poorly planned truck routes may exacerbate these factors.
Types of Accidents Due to Poorly Planned Routes
Poorly planned truck routes can contribute to several types of accidents, including:
- Rear-end Collisions: When a truck driver takes a long way due to poor planning, they may nod off, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision. Additionally, traffic congestion or road closures delay the truck. In that case, the driver may become impatient and more likely to tailgate or drive aggressively, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision.
- Jackknife Accidents: Jackknife accidents occur when the truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming a “V” shape with the cab. These accidents can happen when the truck brakes suddenly or maneuvers on a narrow or winding road due to a poorly planned route.
- Rollover Accidents: These accidents occur when the semi tips over onto its side, when the driver takes a sharp turn, or the truck’s load is unbalanced. Poorly planned routes can contribute to rollover accidents by forcing the driver to take a road unsuitable for the truck’s weight or size.
- Side-swipe Accidents: Side-swipe accidents occur when the truck collides with another vehicle while changing lanes. These accidents can happen when the driver takes an alternate route that is less familiar or when the trucker is distracted due to a longer travel time and checking their GPS.
- Collisions with Fixed Objects: Poorly planned routes can lead to crashes with fixed objects such as guardrails, bridges, or walls. These accidents can occur when the driver navigates a narrow road or takes a route with low clearance or weight restrictions.
Types of Injuries in a Poorly Planned Truck Route Accident
A poorly planned truck route accident can result in various injuries, ranging from mild to severe. It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately following an accident to ensure the best possible outcomes for the victims.
Some of the most common injuries from truck crashes include:
- Head and brain injuries: In a poorly planned truck route accident, the driver, passengers, and other road users may suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) due to the impact of the collision. These can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries and have long-lasting effects on the victims’ health and well-being.
- Neck and spinal cord injuries: A poorly planned truck route accident can also result in neck and spinal cord injuries, which can be incredibly debilitating and life-changing. These injuries can cause severe pain, loss of sensation, and even paralysis, depending on the severity of the damage.
- Broken bones: The force of a truck colliding with other vehicles or objects can easily cause broken bones in the victims. Commonly broken bones in these accidents include arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
- Internal injuries: Injuries to internal organs, such as the lungs, liver, spleen, or kidneys, can also occur in a poorly planned truck route accident. These injuries can be life-threatening and require urgent medical attention.
- Cuts and lacerations: Broken glass, metal debris, and other sharp objects can cause scratches and lacerations in the victims. These injuries may require stitches or other medical interventions to prevent infection and promote healing.
- Burns and abrasions: Truck accidents can also cause burns to the victims, especially if the vehicle catches fire or explodes upon impact. These injuries can be painful and require skin grafts or other healing treatments.
If you’ve suffered injuries in a truck crash, poorly planned routes may have contributed. A free case review with the truck crash attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm aims to determine both liability and the damages you may be eligible to collect. Call us 24/7 to get started.
Truckers Have a Duty to Prevent Poorly Planned Truck Routes
Preventing poorly planned truck routes can reduce the risk of accidents. Lack of care in planning these routes may provide grounds for filing a truck accident injury lawsuit to recover damages when you’ve been injured.
Truck companies should take several steps to prevent poorly planned routes. Some of these may include:
- Better Communication: Improving communication between trucking companies, drivers, and dispatchers can help prevent poorly planned routes. Drivers need clear and concise directions and should communicate with dispatchers if they have any questions or concerns.
- Accurate GPS Navigation: GPS navigation systems should be regularly updated to ensure accuracy. Drivers should also train to correctly use GPS systems and double-check directions before following them.
- Better Routing Options: Local and state governments should work to improve routing options for trucks. These options include widening roads, building new highways, and creating truck-specific routes. By providing better routing options, drivers can avoid roads unsuitable for trucks and take more direct ways.
Start a Free Case Review To Determine What Caused The Trucking Crash
At Wilshire Law Firm, we help clients protect their rights and recover compensation for truck accident injuries. Our award-winning personal injury attorneys aim to maximize your monetary recovery. Instead of paying for the damage an at-fault truck driver inflicted, we work to hold the trucking company accountable for your injuries.
An accident with a truck can be complex. Since we work using contingency, you pay no fees unless you win.
Call us 24/7 at (800) 501-3011 to get started on your important case.