Who is Responsible for a Tractor-Trailer Rollover Accident?

Tractor-trailer rollovers can crush other motorists on the road, leading to amputation, back injuries, and even death. If you were injured, you probably have high medical expenses and need legal assistance. Call Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather today to speak with a Port St. Lucie truck accident attorney at our firm. We can help identify who is responsible for a truck rolling onto its side and seek to hold the at-fault party accountable.

How Common Are Truck Rollovers?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that there were 5,000 rollover accidents causing serious injury in 2020, with 160 rollovers being fatal. Indeed, this is one of the deadliest types of accidents.

Some of the primary causes include:

• We see many rollovers caused by taking turns too fast, such as on and off highway ramps.
• Shifting cargo. The cargo in the trailer contributes greatly to the weight of the semi-truck. This cargo must be tied down and properly loaded because an imbalanced load will dramatically shift the center of gravity, leading to instability.
• Failure to control the truck. A trucker might lose control of the truck for many reasons, including chemical impairment.
• Trucker distraction. Truckers can lose attention because they are tired or distracted by something, such as a cell phone. When truckers almost go off the road, they quickly jerk the wheel to overcorrect—and the center of gravity can shift too quickly. A truck will roll over.
• A truck might trip on something on the road, like construction debris, or ride up on a railing before tipping onto its side.

Often, a combination of the above factors cause a rollover. For example, fatigue and chemical impairment often go hand in hand.

Who Can You Hold Responsible for a Rollover?

Accident victims can suffer devastating injuries in a rollover. Many need immediate medical attention to respond to crush injuries, multiple fractures, and internal organ injuries. Some victims will lose a limb because of the heavy weight landing on them.

To seek compensation, our law firm works overtime to identify who is to blame. Some of the possible defendants include:

• The trucker’s negligence could lead to the crash. For example, he might have been texting or drinking and lost control. Truckers also need to inspect vehicles to find defects and refuse to drive them if the vehicle is unsafe.
• Trucking company. This company owns the vehicle and ultimately is responsible for its maintenance. A trucking company might also be on the hook by virtue of employing a negligent driver.
• Loading companies. If the cargo is loaded improperly or not secured, the company that loaded it is liable.
• Truck mechanics could have failed to identify or fix a defect on the truck, which opens them up to liability when a defect causes a collision.
• A design or manufacturing defect could render this company liable for a crash.
• The owner of goods being transported and/or receiver of goods being delivered.

Contact Our Law Firm after a Rollover

We are eager to help anyone hurt in a truck accident. Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers.

Source:

fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2022-10/LTBCF%202020-v5_FINAL-09-20-2022%20508%2010-3.pdf