A leading cause of truck accidents is distractions, which could include fiddling with GPS systems, reaching for an object like a cell phone or map, and looking at their surroundings instead of paying attention to the important task of driving. When a truck driver takes an unfamiliar route or the route is poorly planned based on weather or road conditions, his or her focus may be on finding the right route. This focus may trump the driver’s attention to driving, which can lead to collisions with vulnerable passenger vehicles.
If you suffered injuries because of a distracted truck driver, a Los Angeles poorly planned routes lawyer can discuss your potential claim and your legal options for recovery. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation.
Defining a Poorly Planned Route
Driving on an unfamiliar roadway is a major cause of truck accidents. The Large Truck Crash Causation Study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that 22 percent of large truck crashes occurred when truck drivers were not familiar with the roadway.
To combat this issue, the FMSA recommends that drivers prepare a route before beginning their trip. However, truck drivers and companies are ultimately responsible for planning the route. A poorly planned route may include:
- No preplanned route at all
- A route that is unfamiliar to the driver
- A route containing roads that are too small or narrow for a commercial truck
- A route that does not have adequate space for a commercial truck to make wide turns
- The selected route is more dangerous than a ready alternative
- A route does not comply with a state’s restrictions on the transport of hazardous materials
- A route involving roadways with height restrictions the truck surpasses
- A route containing high traffic or one that goes through school or construction zones
Causes of Poorly Planned Routes
Time constraints are usually to blame for poorly planned routes. Trucking companies work under strict time limitations. They receive pay only when they make deliveries, so the faster the trucker can get to his or her destination, the more money they can make. The federal government recognizes this dynamic and implemented the hours of service regulations as a result. These rules limit the number of hours a driver can spend on the roadway and should help prevent truck accidents caused by driver fatigue.
However, these rules do not impose requirements on truck drivers or trucking companies about how the driver can make these deliveries. To save time, many truck drivers may leave for their destination with no clear plan besides getting there as quickly as possible. In other situations, trucking companies may not account for real-time limitations on certain routes, which may place the truck driver in danger.
Although GPS technology is readily available, it may still have limitations, such as not showing the newest routes available. Also, a truck driver may lose service along the route and not be able to access it.
Trucking companies and drivers who prioritize their economic gain over your safety may commit many negligent actions, including failing to properly plan for a trip. Our lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can examine your claim and determine whether you have a viable cause of action.
For a free legal consultation with a Poorly Planned Routes Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Dangers of Poorly Planned Routes
As stated above, a large percentage of commercial truck accidents occur when the driver is on an unfamiliar or poorly planned route. Drivers may get distracted by trying to determine where they are supposed to go. They may also reach for an object, such as a phone to access GPS information or a map. The FMSCA reports in its Driver Distraction Study that reaching for an object like a cell phone while driving is a high-risk activity because it may involve taking the driver’s hands off the wheel and his or her eyes off the road.
The FMSCA further states that when a driver’s attention is not on the roadway, he or she is not effectively or safely operating the vehicle. They linked reaching for objects to the highest population attributable risk (PAR) percentage of 7.7, the highest for all individual tasks that they studied.
In addition to potentially causing more accidents, poorly planned routes can also cause more serious accidents. When drivers are distracted, they may not be paying attention to their speed or the roadway in front of them. This may lead to high-speed or head-on accidents. These types of accidents may cause:
- Fatalities
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Serious fractures
- Internal organ damage
It is often very expensive to treat these types of injuries, but a Los Angeles poorly planned routes lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for these injuries.
Los Angeles Poorly Planned Routes Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Investigating the Underlying Causes of Poorly Planned Route Collisions
If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, that you act quickly. You may want to retain a lawyer who is familiar with the various causes of these collisions. A poorly planned route lawyer may be able to get to work quickly on your claim and begin an investigation to determine the factors that caused it.
A lawyer may take several steps depending on the circumstances, which may include:
- Interviewing witnesses about how the accident occurred
- Reviewing records to determine if the route was a regular one and what dangers were present on the route
- Requesting route plans as part of the formal discovery process
- Sending spoliation of evidence letters that instruct the trucking company not to destroy evidence due to a pending claim
- Reviewing driving records
By thoroughly reviewing all of the factors that may have contributed to your collision, our lawyer will be in a better position to demand compensation for the injuries you suffered.
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If you suffered injuries in a collision caused by an improperly planned route, contact a poorly planned routes lawyer for help with your claim. Our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is standing by ready to help. We charge no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Call us today at (800) 794-0444 to get started.
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