A trucking accident can result in serious injuries to drivers, passengers and others who were close to the scene of the wreck. North Dakota law allows an injured victim up to six years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why a collision might occur.
Fatigue can increase a driver’s risk of causing a crash
When drivers are tired, they may have a harder time processing information. Furthermore, those who are tired may be more likely to exceed a posted speed limit, change lanes without looking or take other risks. In some cases, drowsy truckers may actually fall asleep while their vehicle is in motion.
Driver impairment may result in a wreck
A person who is impaired by drugs or alcohol may have trouble controlling their muscle movements. This may make it difficult to keep their hands on the steering wheel or keep their eyes on the road. In addition, an impaired commercial motorist may ignore traffic lights, traffic control signals or other cues to stop, slow down or take other actions to prevent a crash from occurring. If you are involved in a collision with an impaired motorist, a personal injury attorney may be able to represent your interests.
Inclement weather can create hazardous driving conditions
Driving during periods of inclement weather can wreak havoc with a person’s vision and depth perception. It can also make it harder to come to a stop in a timely manner, and this may be true even if a vehicle is traveling at a speed that is reasonable for road conditions.
If you are hurt in a truck accident caused by a trucker’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and lost future earnings. You may also be entitled to money to replace property that was lost or damaged. An attorney may use photos, witness statements or other evidence to help you obtain a favorable settlement.