Providence Lawyers for Truck Accidents Caused by Unsafe Lane Changes and Turns
Truck drivers have a responsibility to follow the rules of the road, including adequately signaling lane changes and turns, and safely performing these actions. If they fail to turn or carefully change lanes, a serious collision may occur. If you were hurt in an accident with an 18-wheeler or another commercial vehicle, the team at Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. could help you.
We know all too well the damage that a serious accident can cause, especially one that involves a massive commercial vehicle. You may find yourself unable to work and in great physical pain after an accident like this, and you may not know where to turn for help. Our team of experienced trial attorneys has dedicated our lives to helping people just like you get the justice and financial compensation they deserve following a serious wreck, especially those caused by unsafe lane changes or turns.
We have over 85 years of combined experience helping injured people in Rhode Island, and we are ready to put that experience to work for you. We are a family firm, and we know that family matters most to you as well. That’s why we will work tirelessly to help make sure you can take care of yourself and your loved ones following an accident. Contact us at (401) 751-8855 to discuss the details of your case today. Your consultation is always free, and you won’t pay any fees or expenses unless we win your case!
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
Following a severe accident, it is not uncommon to find yourself dealing with mounting medical expenses, missed time from work, and other costs piling up. You may be hounded by insurance adjusters and trucking company representatives, all pushing you to either accept a settlement or sign paperwork that you are unfamiliar with. It is essential to keep in mind that you do not have to accept anything that you are offered without having an attorney on your side who is looking out for your best interests, not the interests of the trucking company. By contacting an attorney who understands truck accident cases, you can focus on recovery while your legal team works on your behalf to get you the fair and just compensation that you are owed.
Common Causes of Unsafe Lane Changes And Turns
While the specific circumstances of each accident are entirely different, there are some basic commonalities between most accidents. When it comes to unsafe lane changes and turns, we often see that they are caused by:
- Inattentiveness on the part of the driver
- Failure to signal before a lane change
- Failure to yield the right-of-way to others on the road
- Failure to stop entirely and completely at a stop sign
If a truck driver fails to follow the established rules of the road and you are hurt, you may be eligible to pursue legal action to recover compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as financial reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs.
Truck Accident FAQs
We know that you likely have never been in this situation before. You may have never had to hire an attorney before this period, and you likely have not been seriously hurt in an accident with a large commercial vehicle. For that reason, we have provided some answers to Frequently Asked Questions to better help you understand your situation and your rights.
What usually causes collisions between a commercial truck and an automobile?
Many factors can contribute to a commercial truck accident, including the unstable truck design making it a top-heavy large vehicle, road hazards, weather conditions, “no zones” or blind spots, other drivers’ actions, etc. “Jackknifing” is the leading type of commercial truck accident, which usually occurs when a truck’s drive wheels lock as the truck approaches a slippery spot on the road. The trailer often will continue its forward motion, causing the driver to lose control and the trailer to swing out to one side. When this happens, any vehicles nearby may be in danger. If a truck driver fails to signal a turn properly or makes an unsafe lane change, a serious accident may occur as well.
If the accident occurred during bad weather, how do I prove the big rig driver was responsible?
It may come as a surprise that the same rules apply when driving in bad weather as in good weather. Mother Nature is not a viable excuse when it comes to commercial vehicle accidents, and this can work in your favor if you are a victim. Despite the high standards truck drivers are held to when it comes to driving in poor weather conditions, these drivers are still held to a tight schedule and are on the road at all hours of the day to meet these demands. A professional driver is responsible for adjusting their actions during a storm or bad weather, and if they failed to do so, it is likely that our attorneys will be able to demonstrate negligence and bring you the justice you deserve.
How long does it take to obtain compensation after a commercial truck accident typically?
Typically an accident involving a large commercial truck will take longer than a regular automobile accident primarily because a liability investigation is required. It is not uncommon for an insurance company to try and place a portion of fault on the victim even when they were not responsible. Expect for the process to take a while, given the detailed steps involved in these more layered cases.
What are my rights when it comes to suing the trucking company?
If the driver is technically an employee of the company, it is possible to sue the company for the driver’s negligence. According to respondeat superior, a legal doctrine, an employer is legally responsible for the wrongful acts done by that employee, if such acts occur within the scope of the employment or agency. One must prove this employee relationship established by the other party to pursue charges.
What are some common avoidable causes of truck accidents?
The primary cause of any accident is driver error, and this is no different for commercial truck drivers. Take into consideration, these drivers are on a schedule while driving all day, and despite carefully planned training and regulations, accidents still happen. Despite the demands placed on truck drivers, safety on the road should be their primary concern, and if they cause an accident, the injured party should be able to hold them or the company accountable.
How can a personal injury lawyer assist in a commercial truck accident lawsuit?
Our team of personal injury attorneys in Providence, Rhode Island, and beyond has many years of experience when it comes to 18-wheeler accidents. Those involving commercial vehicles can be particularly complicated to navigate because often the victim must deal with the insurance company, law enforcement, and the employer of the driver. With an experienced attorney in your corner, these waters will be much easier to navigate. We will investigate the accident, assign fault, and will aggressively pursue the compensation you are owed.
Truck Accident Statistics
Collisions caused by unsafe lane changes and turns are a leading cause of death in the United States. Lane change collisions are typically two-vehicle crashes that occur when one vehicle intrudes into the path of another vehicle initially on a parallel path and traveling in the same direction. Trucks account for 42% of merging collisions on the road, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Distracted driving comes in many forms and frequently results in horrific accidents that can be life-altering. On average, it takes a person 4.5 seconds to send a text message. This short amount of time can result in a tragedy, or even worse, death. Isn’t it shocking that at any given time throughout the day, approximately 660,000 drivers are attempting to use their phones while behind the wheel of a vehicle? Each day, about nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver, and this includes drivers of large commercial vehicles. When truck drivers change lanes without taking a few extra seconds to check their surroundings, turn on their blinkers, and safely transition lanes, the risk of an accident rises significantly.
Contact Us
If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident caused by an unsafe lane change or turn performed by a truck driver, you may be eligible to take legal action against the trucking company and the driver responsible. You do not have to suffer alone, and you should not have to pay out of pocket for the reckless actions of the driver. The experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyers of the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. are ready to help you, just like we have helped so many others in Providence and Rhode Island. Contact us at (401) 751-8855 today. You will pay no fees, costs, or expenses unless we win your case!
