Commercial vehicles come in a variety of sizes. While semi-trucks are the largest and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, smaller cargo trucks can still weigh several tons and carry several more tons of freight. Due to this massive weight, cargo truck accidents in Louisville, KY, can seriously injure pedestrians and motorists.
Hendy Johnson Vaughn has decades of combined experience. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
If you have been in an accident, call our Louisville cargo truck accident lawyers at (859) 578-4444 for a free consultation.
How Hendy Johnson Vaughn Can Help After A Cargo Truck Accident In Louisville, KY
If you have suffered an injury in a cargo truck accident due to truck driver or trucking company negligence, a Louisville personal injury lawyer at Hendy Johnson Vaughn can assist you with the following:
- Identifying the at-fault party and devising a legal strategy to recover compensation
- Collecting documents and other evidence for your case
- Filing an insurance claim against the at-fault party
- Litigating your case in court if the at-fault party’s insurer refuses a settlement
Cargo trucks in Louisville, Kentucky, can cause accidents, particularly when driven by inexperienced or careless drivers. Contact us to schedule a free case review with a truck accident attorney in Louisville.
Common Types Of Louisville Cargo Trucks
Strictly speaking, cargo trucks are any commercial motor vehicles that carry freight rather than passengers. Thus, semi-trucks fit this broad definition of cargo trucks.
However, a narrower definition excludes semi-trucks and focuses solely on the following single-unit commercial vehicles:
- Cargo vans
- Work trucks
- Box trucks
- Single-unit flatbed trucks
Some common uses of these vehicles include the following:
- UPS and FedEx delivery trucks
- Amazon delivery trucks and vans
- Moving trucks
- Delivery trucks
- Mail trucks
- Food trucks
Because these trucks are smaller than semis, you will find them everywhere, including residential streets, parking lots, and highways.
Major Causes Of Cargo Truck Accidents In Louisville
Cargo trucks can crash for a variety of reasons.
Careless Lane Changes
Although they are not as long as semi-trucks, cargo trucks and vans still have large blind spots. Truck operators can collide with other vehicles when making lane changes if they fail to check their mirrors. Drivers can also cause lane-change collisions when they overtake a slower vehicle but fail to account for their truck’s length when moving back into the original lane.
Tailgating
Under Kentucky law, drivers must follow at a reasonable and prudent distance. Tailgating happens when a truck driver follows another vehicle too closely.
Heavy trucks have a longer stopping distance than smaller and lighter passenger automobiles. Inexperienced or careless drivers might neglect to leave extra space. They might also be impatient due to a tight delivery schedule.
When drivers follow too closely, they can cause a rear-end collision if the other vehicle stops suddenly. Unfortunately, the weight of the cargo truck can cause severe injuries to people in the vehicle that’s struck.
Speeding
Speeding increases a truck’s stopping distance. It also increases the risk that the driver will lose control of their vehicle.
Speeding also increases the severity of any collision. It is particularly dangerous when the heavier vehicle is also traveling faster because crash energy depends on its mass and speed.
Distracted Driving
Visual, manual, and cognitive distractions are common causes of auto accidents in Kentucky. Drivers of rental cargo trucks may lack experience driving large trucks. They may become distracted by trying to operate the vehicle.
More experienced drivers can also become distracted. Long shifts, congested roads, and driver fatigue can cause operators to lose focus. When this happens, the driver might not see pedestrians and other vehicles. When they do spot them, the driver may react too slowly to avoid a crash.
How Kentucky Law Determines Liability For Truck Collisions
Under Kentucky law, a negligent driver may be liable for a cargo truck accident, subject to the state’s choice no-fault insurance system. Negligence occurs when someone fails to use reasonable care and causes another person’s injuries.
Other parties may also share liability. For example, a trucking company may be responsible for negligent maintenance, while a cargo loader could be liable if improperly loaded or unsecured cargo contributed to the crash.
Contact Our Louisville Cargo Truck Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Cargo truck accidents in Louisville often result from driver negligence or substandard maintenance. If you have been in a cargo truck accident, you can trust us to handle your claim with the care and attention it deserves. We can put the full weight of our decades of experience behind building a case for you.
Reach out to Hendy Johnson Vaughn for a free consultation to discuss your truck crash and the legal claims for injury compensation that you can pursue.