The Dangers of Runaway Trucks

Large commercial trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds and are several times the size of other passenger vehicles on the roads and highways.  As you can imagine, if a truck driver cannot stop or control a commercial truck, the truck can potentially take out any vehicles in its path and the resulting damage and injuries can be extraordinary.  When a truck travels at high speeds uncontrollably, people refer to it as a runaway truck.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a runaway truck accident, the injuries and damages you are facing are likely significant.  An experienced truck accident attorney in Coweta County can help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Runaway truck accidents may occur for a wide variety of reasons.  For example:

  • The brakes on a truck fail
  • A tire blows out, causes the driver to lose control
  • A jack knifing trailer propels the truck
  • A truck driver is unable to stop on icy or otherwise slick roadways
  • A truck driver falls asleep at the wheel
  • Cargo shifting causes a trailer to tip over and skid

The person who is liable for the truck accident depends upon the cause of the runaway truck accident.  However, sometimes determining the exact cause may be more difficult than one may imagine.  To complicate matters, each p arty may be trying to avoid blame.  For instance, if a driver fell asleep at the wheel, he may try to say the brakes simply locked up or failed in another way.   Fortunately, experienced trucking accident lawyers know how to conduct thorough investigations in order to determine the true cause of the accident.  They can use witness reports, experts, and accident recreation to discover who was actually liable for your injuries.

If you have been in a runaway truck accident, it is very important to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible so he may get started on investigating your case.  Call Shane Smith Law today at (980) 246-2656 for help.