As one of the country’s largest trucking ports, Long Beach in California is no stranger to truck-related accidents. Although city authorities have made changes to reduce the number of road accidents, these incidents still occur due to the trucking industry’s lax procedures.
Unfortunately, trucking accidents are one of the common causes of wrongful death.
What is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death is any fatality caused by negligence or an intentional act (e.g., battery). A wrongful death claim is a civil action that can be filed against the individual or organization liable for the fatality. It can be brought to court by the deceased’s spouse, children, or other close family members.
If you think your loved one’s passing in a truck accident could have been prevented, you might be looking at a wrongful death lawsuit. Learn the triggers of a trucking accident to know who to sue for the death of your family member. And when you discover the reasons, it will be helpful to have a wrongful death lawyer guide you through filing a claim.
Top 5 Reasons Trucking Accidents Happen
Fatigue
Overworked drivers are prone to falling asleep behind the wheel. With demand for shorter delivery times, they find themselves under pressure to drive longer distances with few to no breaks during the journey.
Substance Abuse
Alcohol and illegal drug use are typical in most truck drivers. Driving under the influence of these substances dull their senses and impair their coordination. According to a recent study, drivers take these substances to cope with the loneliness and stress of their occupation.
Speeding and Overtaking
Drivers sometimes have unrealistic delivery deadlines, forcing them to make bad judgement calls on the road. They resort to speeding and overtaking, putting themselves and other motorists in danger.
Distracted Driving
Boredom causes truck drivers to use their phones to communicate with family and friends or find music or podcasts to entertain them. Looking at their phones takes their attention away from the road, increasing the chances of getting into a collision.
Poor Maintenance
The law states that trucks need to be in optimal condition to operate. But some truck owners delay maintenance because of the cost and downtime. They wait until the last minute to have their trucks inspected and repaired so they could increase deliveries. But this puts the vehicles at risk of malfunctioning while traveling at high speed on freeways.
Who is Liable in Trucking Accidents?
Once you’ve determined that your family member’s death was due to negligence, you need to identify who is liable. In truck-related accidents, the fault can fall on four parties:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Owner of the truck
- Cargo loaders or manufacturer
Determining the responsible party requires investigation. If you want to proceed with the wrongful death claim, you should consider hiring an attorney specializing in wrongful death cases. They know where and what to investigate to tighten your case and raise your chances of getting the right compensation.
Haffner Law can help you and your family move forward and find justice. We provide legal assistance and representation for wrongful death victims’ next of kin. Call 1-844-HAFFNER (4233637) to book an appointment with one of our attorneys today.
(This is an attorney advertisement by Joshua Haffner)
