Semitrucks and drivers share the roadways on a daily basis. Most of these interactions finish with everyone reaching their destination safely. Unfortunately, there are times when a semitruck may crash into a passenger vehicle.
A person who’s struck by a semitruck may opt to pursue a compensation claim for the financial damages they’re dealing with. One question that will come up during that process is what caused the crash. The cause of the crash isn’t always the trucker, so it’s critical that victims in these cases evaluate the situation to determine the root cause, which may make it easier to determine the liable parties.
Issues with maintenance
Semitrucks have a lot of moving parts, some of which are critical for safe operation. Everything on the tractor and trailer must be properly maintained or there’s a risk that there will be a crash. For example, if the hitch components aren’t fully functional on the tractor and the trailer, there can be a catastrophic wreck if the trailer becomes disconnected while it’s in motion.
Problems with the trucking company
Trucking companies often focus on rapid delivery promises and profit margins instead of making safety the top priority. Companies that don’t prioritize safety may not empower their drivers to stop driving when they’re fatigued or if it’s otherwise not safe for them to continue. In extreme cases, companies may encourage drivers to break regulations, such as the hours of service, that increase the safety of semitrucks on the road.
Deciding to seek compensation is a way the victims of these crashes can try to recover financial damages. These cases are often complex, so it may benefit them to work with someone familiar with similar cases.