Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Omaha and How Lawyers Address Them

Accidents involving trucks are one of the most terrible collisions on the Omaha roads that sometimes lead to severe injuries, loss of life, and lots of property damage. The things are critical due to the size and weight of commercial trucks to the extent that even a small negligence may lead to devastating results. To prevent the occurrence of such accidents, it is important to identify the root causes of such accidents that can be attributed to accountability. 

To the victims, it is important to be aware of how the legal professionals are addressing such cases to have a major impact in terms of fair compensation. Here we are discussing the five most frequent reasons for truck-related accidents in Omaha and how experienced lawyers do their best to investigate the case of negligence and bring justice to the victims.

1. Driver Fatigue

Many truck drivers are placed under immense pressure to ensure that their delivery schedules work within the tight schedules; hence, most of them end up being on the road after the required hours have been regulated. Truck accidents due to fatigue, the ability to think is compromised, there are delays in reaction time, and there is always a chance to fall asleep at the wheel; therefore, fatigue is one of the main factors that contribute to truck accidents in Omaha.

The electronic logging devices (ELDs), along with driver logs, rest stop documentation, and GPS data, are looked into by lawyers to ensure compliance with the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. When such violations are noticed, lawyers can use them to develop a solid liability claim against the driver and, at times, those employers who help promote dangerous driving habits.

2. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a bane among commercial truck drivers despite strict laws against the issue. Even a brief loss of concentration may lead to tragic accidents, even when travelling through busy roads in Omaha.

In a bid to prove liability, lawyers seek cellphone records, dashcam footage, and eyewitnesses. When a trucking company has not implemented measures that enforced the lack of distracted driving or had no driver training programs, lawyers can further the cases against the trucking company on the grounds of their managerial and safety supervision.

3. Incorrect loading or Overloading

The weight of things carried by a truck needs to be the right weight and fixed. The truck is unstable when the loads are not secured well or when they have surpassed the weight capacity. It may result in rollovers, jackknifing, or an abrupt change of the direction of the lane, which can be a significant threat on roads like I-80 and US-6 in Omaha.

An experienced truck accident lawyer in Omaha examines the cargo paperwork, evidence at weigh stations, and even queries the loading crews. They can also adopt the services of logistics or transportation experts to find out whether the accident was directly caused as a result of wrong loading. Liability may not be limited to the driver, but it may be transferred to third-party shipping companies or loads.

4. Die Mechanical Failures & Maintenance Woes

The brakes, tires, lights, and suspension of a truck have to be frequently maintained in te rms of excessive mileage and the heavy payload. The failures related to the mechanics caused by the lack of maintenance tend to lead to the loss of control and severe crashes.

Lawyers thoroughly look through the maintenance reports and service history, and inspection reports. In the instance that an accident was caused by a mechanical problem, such as faulty brakes or worn-out parts, the lawyers will determine whether the driver, trucking company, or the parts manufacturer was negligent and will go to court along those lines.

5. Driving very fast & Reckless Driving

There are also truck drivers who are characterized by aggressive driving profiles such as speeding, tailgating, or even lane changes. In small and crowded Omaha streets, such behavior poses a serious threat of an accident.

An important evidence is black box data that entails the speed, the timing of the brakes, and acceleration. Traffic camera recordings, police reports, and testifying witnesses are also used to prove recklessness by lawyers. The punitive damages claims are also common in these cases, particularly when the reckless driving results in serious or death injuries.

6. Tire Failures & Tire Blowouts

Among the more technical but more common causes of truck accidents are tire-related issues. Bald tires, low-pressure tires, and defects in the manufacturing process may cause blowouts, especially when the tires are traveling at high speeds or over long distances. 

Legal teams can check tire maintenance records, the age of the tires, as well as vehicle inspection reports. The trucking company or tire manufacturer might be responsible in case of tires that are flawed, poisoned, or worn out, or tires that have not been pumped to the correct pressure. The lawyers usually employ the services of accident reconstruction professionals to ensure that the tire related problems directly resulted in the crash.

7. Mismanagement of Tires

One of the most ignored parts during regular check-ups is tires; however, they are a very vital part in the safety of the vehicle. Most times, these problems involving tires are not caused by faults but by habitual ignorance, like ignorance in inspection or changing a damaged tire.

A lawyer will take a closer look at inspection checks and in-house maintenance policies of the trucking company. They can also argue that the company was negligent by prioritizing its profits over safety in the event that there are records of evidence that the tires were inspected and they skipped certain parts or ignored warning lights. Such evidence plays a pivotal role in long-term negligence.