Rollovers are a particularly dangerous type of accident. They can harm both the driver whose vehicle flipped and anyone they collide with. Vehicles in these types of crashes are also prone to cross multiple lanes of traffic, increasing the risk of a multi-vehicle wreck.
When a commercial truck is involved in a rollover, the likelihood of injury is even greater. The difference in size and weight between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle means that the force of the impact is more likely to cause severe damage to the smaller car.
You do not have to deal with the aftermath alone when you have been involved in a rollover truck accident in Auburn. A hardworking semi-truck attorney can help you determine the at-fault party in a wreck and help pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Causes a Rollover Accident?
The unstable cargo and high center of gravity of most tractor-trailers increase their chances of rolling. Rollover truck collisions in Lewiston-Auburn can have several causes.
Failure to Reduce Speed
Semi-trucks must slow down significantly before taking turns or changes in road grade, such as on-ramps to enter or exit a highway. Failure to do so can lead to serious crashes.
Poorly Secured Vehicle Load
If a tractor-trailer’s cargo is too heavy or loaded incorrectly, it can shift while the vehicle is in motion, causing the driver to lose control of it.
Over or Understeering
Oversteering can cause the forces on the cab and trailer to push in different directions, making a rollover more likely. Understeering can cause the truck to leave the roadway, where the drop-off can lead to a rollover.
Fatigue or Distraction
If drivers are distracted or tired, they are more likely to make sudden overcorrections to avoid collisions. These maneuvers may prevent the initial accident but also increase the odds that the truck will roll over.
Determining the cause of a crash and proving fault without professional assistance is challenging. A knowledgeable attorney can investigate a crash, speak with eyewitnesses, and, if necessary, hire an accident reconstructionist to establish that negligence led to an incident.
Regulations Applicable to Semi-Trucks
Operators of commercial vehicles are subject to a number of federal and local laws that are intended to make roadways safer. Many of these regulations attempt to protect drivers in Lewiston-Auburn by preventing the causes of many tractor-trailer rollover wrecks, for example:
- 49 CFR § 395.3(a) – aims to prevent fatigue by limiting drivers to 14 hours on duty, which must be followed by at least a 10-hour break before the driver goes on duty again
- 49 CFR § 393.100 – provides that a truck’s cargo must be adequately secured so that the tractor-trailer’s stability is not negatively impacted
- 49 CFR § 392.9 – requires a driver to recheck the vehicle’s load and make any necessary adjustments within the first 50 miles of any trip
- 23 CFR § 658.17 – provides that in no circumstances may a semi-truck’s total weight, including cargo, exceed 80,000 pounds
If a truck driver or trucking company violates any of these provisions, they may have to pay a fine or cease driving for a while; however, none of those punishments will directly help the injured people.
A compassionate lawyer can use violations of these provisions to prove that the at-fault party acted recklessly leading up to the incident. With this evidence, they can help hold these people or entities financially responsible for the injuries their actions caused.
Seek Help From an Auburn Attorney After a Rollover Truck Accident
Rollover semi-truck collisions commonly result in serious injuries that require extensive, often costly, medical attention.
A reliable personal injury attorney can help investigate a collision’s cause, collect proof that the truck driver or trucking company was at fault, and seek appropriate damages for your injuries and losses.
When you have been injured in a rollover truck accident in Auburn, schedule an initial consultation with Gideon Asen, LLC today to discuss your situation with a member of our team.
