Truck Accidents—There's Usually Two Sides Of The Story

August 20, 2020

Truck Accidents—There's Usually Two Sides Of The Story

Large commercial trucks drive alongside passenger cars every single day in the Montgomery area. While these vehicles are often able to coexist safely, crashes do happen, and they can be serious. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported 4,761 fatalities from commercial truck crashes in a recent year, and Alabama had 99 of those fatalities, which was the 16th-highest of the 50 states.

After a truck accident, it is critical to determine what led to the crash for multiple reasons. First, trucking companies, truck drivers, and other organizations can use this information to improve safety measures and try to prevent future crashes. In addition, determining fault for the accident can identify who should be liable for the losses of injured accident victims.

Different Accounts of the Accident
One way to try to determine fault is to ask each driver involved what happened leading up to the crash. However, you can expect to get two different stories from two different drivers involved. For example, in the event that a semi-truck crashes into the back of a smaller SUV, you might hear the following:

●   The driver of the SUV claims they properly passed the truck on the left, then used their blinker to get back over into the right lane. This driver claims the truck driver must have been speeding or distracted since it hardly seemed like the truck slowed down before colliding into the SUV.
●   The semi-truck driver claims they were well within the speed limit, and the road conditions were clear. The SUV sped past them on the left, then suddenly switched lanes to weave between traffic, not using their blinker and effectively cutting off the truck. This aggressive driving move left the truck driver with little to no time to hit the brakes and avoid a crash.

From the stories alone, it is nearly impossible to tell which driver is telling an accurate version of the story. Fortunately, there are other ways to determine what truly happened and who was to blame. Some ways include:

●   Eyewitness testimony
●   Truck camera footage
●   Other video surveillance cameras
●   Analyzing the truck’s “black box”
●   Examining skid marks or other evidence at the scene

Accident reconstruction can be technical, but it can help shed light on what happens in a truck accident. This helps ensure the right injured victims get the compensation they deserve and that they do not face unnecessary losses or liability from a serious crash.

Speak with a Montgomery Truck Accident Lawyer Today

At The Law Office of Richard F. (Matt) Matthews, Jr., we know that each party involved in an accident has their own version of what happened, and conflicting stories can cause complications in injury cases. We listen to our clients and seek all possible evidence that someone else might be liable for their truck crash and resulting injuries. These cases can be challenging, but Attorney Matt Matthews is ready to rise to that challenge. Call 334-398-8408 or contact us online for your free case evaluation today.

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

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