Trucking accidents may be declining, but with ever-increasing technology, the new question is whether drivers can talk, retrieve their e-mail, scan hundreds of satellite radio channels and check their location via GPS—and still drive safely. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officials estimate that 25% of all crashes are the result of distraction, including fatigue. In non-fatal crashes, drivers are reluctant to say they were distracted. Admitting this could result in pay cuts or job termination. However, victims are paying the price. According to a truck accident injury lawyer, victims have several grounds for their accident cases, including negligent operation by the driver, negligent entrustment on the part of the company, vicarious liability of the company for the driver and ‘spoliation’ of evidence. These are legitimate concerns when it comes to the health and wellbeing of everyone else on the road with these trucks.

As a victim of this negligence, it is important to find an experienced truck accident injury lawyer early on. Many companies will try to target victims during their most vulnerable time and settle immediately. They know that dealing directly with an accident victim may save them millions, regardless of the ultimate financial burden on the victim and his or her family. Also, companies know that in the U.S., a criminal conviction against the driver amounts to an automatic loss in a civil case. This would potentially increase their payouts to victims. Therefore, if a victim has settled before making further convictions against the driver, all is said and done. No one should have to face such enormous financial burdens as the result of someone else’s negligence.