Truck Rollover Accidents

WASHINGTON, DC, July 01, 2011 (Press-News.org) According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there is an average of over 150,000 truck accidents in the United States every year. Truck accidents are among the most deadly vehicle accidents motorists can be involved in. Even when they don't result in death, truck accidents almost guarantee serious personal injury for drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles.

Truck accidents occur in a number of ways, including side-swiping, head-on collisions, and rear-end collisions. However, out of all of these accident types, truck rollover accidents are statistically the most deadly. Although rollovers account for only a very small percentage of truck related accidents, they are responsible for 30% of all vehicle accident-related deaths. If you or your family have been affected by injuries or death from a truck rollover accident, seeking the assistance of an experienced truck accident attorney may be the most important step you can take in ensuring you are compensated for all of your losses.

How Rollovers Happen

According to the NHTSA, the overwhelming majority of tractor-trailer rollovers occur due to "tipping." Tipping occurs when one of the truck's wheels hits an object like a curb, resulting in a change in momentum that causes the truck to roll. Other common causes of truck rollovers include:

• Improperly maintained roadways
• Dangerous weather conditions
• Faulty truck equipment

Other factors - such as the way a trailer is loaded - are often responsible as well. There are strict regulations placed on the proper loading of a trailer. These regulations are in place to ensure a truck is neither too heavy nor too imbalanced to operate appropriately. Many trucking companies overload trailers in an attempt to get more stock delivered more quickly. This can make many trucks death traps for other drivers on the road.

Who is Responsible in a Truck Rollover Accident?

Determining fault in any type of truck accident can be challenging. An experienced truck accident attorney can work with you every step of the way to ensure the responsible party is held accountable. Depending on the cause of your accident, responsible parties can include:

• The truck driver
• The company the driver works for
• The vehicle manufacturer
• Another driver
• A government entity

By thoroughly investigating the accident and carefully reviewing every report and witness statement from your accident, your attorney will be able to make a case for who was at fault in the accident. Trying to determine this on your own often results in years of struggles with insurance and trucking companies, ultimately ending in inadequate settlements.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck rollover accident in Washington D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, please visit the website of the experienced truck accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today.