One of the most dangerous types of truck accidents that can occur is a runaway truck accident. If you were injured in one of these dangerous runaway truck crashes, an experienced San Antonio truck accident attorney from George Salinas Injury Lawyers can explain your legal rights and options. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Is a Runaway Truck Accident?
A runaway truck occurs when the driver loses control of the vehicle and is unable to slow down or stop. These incidents often occur when the truck is heading downhill or when the truck’s brakes fail due to overheating.
Because fully loaded rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, they can descend rapidly if not handled with care. Collisions with much smaller vehicles can occur, causing significant harm and serious injuries.
Common Causes of Runaway Trucks
Some of the leading factors behind runaway trucks include:
- Driver inexperience: New drivers may be more apt to make mistakes when they are driving a large truck, such as failing to account for the additional speed when heading downhill without intervention or not using lower gears and engine retarders that can apply excessive strain on braking systems.
- Brake overheating: A truck’s brakes can overheat when the truck is driven down a mountain, as well as when temperatures are high.
- Speeding: Drivers who are speeding or stay in too high a gear can have difficulty controlling the vehicle.
- Poor maintenance: Non-functional valves, worn linings, or contaminated air lines can destroy braking ability, even without accounting for the descent. Brakes can be less effective or fail when they are not properly maintained.
- Improperly loaded cargo: Cargo that has not been loaded correctly or is overweight can impose additional strain on a commercial vehicle and its braking system. These factors can make it more difficult for truck drivers to control the vehicle during descents.
- Defective auto parts: Defective auto parts can also cause brake failures to occur.
Financial Compensation You Can Recover from a Truck Accident
Truck accident victims can pursue compensation for the losses they have endured due to the crash. These crashes often result in severe injuries, leading to expensive medical bills that require extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods. An experienced attorney can fight for maximum compensation for all the damages you have sustained, including:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Future medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
Who Is Responsible for Runaway Truck Accidents?
Various parties can be responsible for runaway truck collisions, including:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Mechanics
- Maintenance companies
- Truck or parts manufacturers
- Cargo loading companies
Experienced cargo truck accident lawyers in San Antonio can identify, gather, and preserve evidence to establish liability, such as:
- Vehicle components
- Maintenance records
- Inspection records
- Truck electronic control modules
- Event data recorders
- Onboard cameras
- Traffic cameras
- Witness testimony
- Accident scene photos
- Testimony from accident reconstruction specialists, mechanical engineers, and other experts
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation with a San Antonio Runaway Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a runaway truck accident, the legal team at George Salinas Injury Lawyers can investigate your accident, identify the at-fault parties, and demand maximum compensation for your losses. Contact us today to take advantage of a free consultation.