Our Results Make a Difference
Explore How We Have Helped Our Clients
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$16 Million Truck Accident
Buckingham & Vega obtained a $16 million settlement in a truck accident case. The truck driver was speeding and inattentive (texting) and crashed into the rear of a pickup truck stopped at a stoplight.
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$13 Million Truck Accident
Our team secured a 13 million settlement in a truck accident case. An eighteen-wheeler made an unsafe turn in front of a car driven by a grandmother and her family. The grandmother was killed and the family suffered severe injuries.
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$2 Million Truck Accident
The Buckingham & Vega team obtained a $2 million wrongful death settlement on behalf of a client who was killed in a truck accident collision.
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$2 Million Truck Accident
Buckingham & Vega Law Firm secured $2 million after a wrongful death that occurred after a trucking collision.
How Big Is the Trucking Industry?
In 2019 there were more than 2 million people employed as tractor-trailer or heavy truck drivers. Another 1.5 million were employed as delivery drivers, with the transportation industry employing a total of 7.95 million workers. On its own, the trucking industry accounts for nearly 6% of the total workforce in the U.S.
This is a massive industry by employment numbers alone, but there are other ways in which we can see just how big of a role the truck industry plays in the American economy:
- Truck drivers drove a combined 304.9 billion miles in 2018.
- In 2019, truckers transported approximately 11.8 billion tons of freight.
- Truck driving was the seventh deadliest job in 2019.
- Truck accidents killed 5,096 people and injured another 121,000 in 2018.
Causes of Truck Accidents
No two tractor-trailer accidents are alike. However, in our years of working with truck accident victims, we have become familiar with some of the most common causes of these collisions. Identifying the cause of an accident is an essential step for victims who want to pursue compensation for their injuries.
Our truck accident lawyers can help you identify which factors were present in your accident, which will help you hold any negligent parties liable for their actions. The following is by no means an exhaustive list of all possible causes of truck accidents.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Truckers spend much of their time driving, often putting in as much as 11 hours behind the wheel in a single day. Current regulations only require drivers to take a 30-minute break following eight hours of consecutive driving, and workdays can last as long as 14 hours when you consider off-road tasks, including pre-trip inspections.
Many employers actively encourage drivers to violate federal regulations. Pressure from employers and unrealistic delivery schedules can lead to significant driver fatigue, making it a common factor in trucking accidents.
Truck Driver Behavior
Reckless and negligent driving behaviors are prevalent among the professional driving community. Despite going through specialized training and receiving a commercial driver’s license (CDL), some truck drivers continue to engage in dangerous driving habits such as:
- Using their phones behind the wheel
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Speeding above the posted speed limit
- Following too closely to other vehicles
- Failing to consider weather or driving conditions
- Making wide turns
A trucking company can also be held liable for the above actions, especially if they engaged in negligent hiring practices that led to a driver with a history of poor driving behavior being on the road. Your truck accident attorney can request a trucker’s employment records to see whether there was a pattern or history of negligent driving.
Insufficient Maintenance
When fully loaded, a tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. This is associated with heightened wear and tear compared to the average passenger vehicle. Trucking companies are responsible for performing regular maintenance that evaluates and addresses any issues with the overall structural integrity of its fleet. Any failure to perform regular maintenance may lead to:
- Engine failure or overheating
- U-joint failure
- Brake issues or failure
- Tire blowouts
- Starter failure
When insufficient maintenance leads to a truck accident, the trucking company can be held liable for any resulting damages.
Injured in a truck accident? We’re ready to help. Schedule your free consultation.
Tractor-Trailer Accident Injuries
