Because of their immense size and weight, commercial trucks that crash into other cars can cause terrible damage and injuries. They are also more challenging to control than regular cars and smaller vehicles, which is even more complicated when the weather conditions are not ideal. This is why commercial truck drivers are required to have exclusive licensing and enhanced driving education under state and federal commercial trucking regulations.
Truckers’ responsibilities on the road
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), when an accident occurs during normal conditions, the presumption is that the truck driver failed to meet their duty of care, especially in the case where the other vehicle is a smaller car. The most common accidents that involve these trucks include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Left turns
- Stopping the truck on a shoulder
- Improper loading of the truck
- Traffic violations
- Driving when fatigued
Any of these cases may cause the truck driver to be liable for the damage to property, injuries, and death that may result.
