Truck drivers, like drivers of other vehicles, sometimes perform illegal maneuvers while driving on roads and highways. The size and mass of a commercial truck increases the possibility of a truck collision, as well as the severity of any subsequent injuries, when truck drivers fail to follow traffic laws. Stated simply, a commercial truck is not nearly as nimble or maneuverable as non-commercial vehicle. This lack of maneuverability is increased when a truck is hauling a fully loaded cargo trailer.
Were you involved in an accident with a truck driver who was engaging in illegal driving behavior? Portner & Shure can help you seek justice and a fair recovery.
Contact us today at (410) 995-1515 to request a free initial consultation.
Common Types of Illegal Maneuvers Made by Truck Drivers
Truck drivers often engage in a variety of illegal maneuvers. First, commercial trucks are prohibited from traveling in certain areas, such as roadways in residential areas. The reason for this is because the roads in those areas are typically not large enough to permit the safe passage of a commercial truck. Accordingly, the risk of striking another vehicle is dramatically increased. However, due to a variety of factors, such as tight delivery schedules or driver negligence, truck drivers nonetheless travel on prohibited roads. When they do, they put other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians at risk.
Additionally, the size of a commercial truck and its cargo trailer requires more space for a truck to safely execute a turn. Indeed, it is common to see trucks executing a right turn from a left lane. This is because trucks require more turning space when executing a right turn. However, truck drivers sometimes go too far to the left prior to executing the turn, which can result in other drivers attempting to pass a truck on the right, which can then result in a collision.
Along with this, truck drivers, like other drivers, also sometimes travel above the speed limit. Often, truck drivers speed as they are trying to deliver their cargo on schedule in order to avoid financial penalties. This can be particularly dangerous because it affects the truck drivers stopping distance. In order to stop, vehicles require a certain amount of distance. A fully loaded truck requires more distance to stop than a regular sedan or even a smaller truck or a truck that isn’t carrying cargo. Accordingly, truck drivers who fail to utilize a proper amount of stopping distance or who are illegally speeding can cause “jackknife” collisions. A jackknife collision is when a truck and its cargo trailer begin moving in different directions when the truck is attempting to stop. A jackknife collision can involve multiple vehicle and can cause severe injuries.
Why Hire Portner & Shure?
Truck collisions caused by illegal truck driver maneuvers require meticulous investigation. Additionally, the resulting injuries can be severe and can have lifelong effects; victims will need compensation to cover their immediate needs and their ongoing expenses. The Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. truck accident attorneys at Portner & Shure know how to investigate the circumstances surrounding a collision. Additionally, we know how to reconstruct an accident in order to prove that a truck driver was executing an illegal maneuver. And, most importantly, we know how to fight to obtain the best result possible in order to compensate victims for their injuries.
Contact Our Aggressive Truck Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Were you injured or was your loved one killed in an accident with a commercial truck driver? Our attorneys know how to investigate the accident to determine if the truck driver was engaging in illegal maneuvers and if this led to the collision. We have over 30 years of experience and a proven record of success in complex truck accident claims. Our firm offers free consultations and contingency fees, meaning you owe nothing unless/until we recover compensation for you.
