Almost every driver in Alabama will be involved in an accident at some point in their lives. Luckily, most of these accidents are nothing more than fender-benders. If one small sedan is rear-ending another at 10 mph when trying to come to a stop, it’s unlikely that there will be lasting damage or serious injuries. However, that’s not true in every situation.
Variables that influence impact
Some of the most important factors that affect the outcome of motor vehicle accidents include the size and weight of the vehicles involved. If a full-sized SUV hits a subcompact car, the smaller car will likely bear the brunt of that collision. Things can be even worse when a commercial vehicle is involved.
Large trucks and 18-wheelers weigh much more than passenger cars. If a commercial vehicle hits a small sedan, the damage can be serious. A vehicle as large and powerful as a commercial truck could cause serious injury and even death to passengers in a standard-sized car. When that happens, determining who is at fault can be complicated.
Understanding liability
Often, truckers are under pressure from their clients and employers to make many deliveries in a row, all on time. To cope with these pressures, they may skip breaks or flout other rules. Sometimes, faulty equipment is ultimately to blame for an accident. While the truck driver may be partly at fault, it’s possible that the manufacturer of the truck and the driver’s employer also share responsibility for maintenance of the vehicle.
In some accidents, even the cargo can prove fatal. For example, a large box can fall from a truck and go through a windshield. In these cases, even the client who owns the cargo might share some blame. Dealing with these complicated issues may be easier with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.