There’s always been a certain mystique in American pop culture about long-haul truck drivers. From the early classics Smokey and the Bandit and Convoy to last year’s Snitch, truckers have featured as the heroes (and occasional villains) in many American movies. In real life, the trucker is just a guy (or gal) trying to make a living and keep the family fed. It’s a tough, lonely job.
The economy would collapse without the truckers. Truckers constitute well over 80% of the commercial transportation industry. While the trucks are big, the trucking companies are usually not so big. Almost all of the approximately 500,000 trucking companies had less than 28 trucks; over 80% of those companies had less than 6 trucks. Most of this country’s cargo is carried by small, independent operators. That being said, those independent operators employ a lot of people.
These trucking companies don’t have unlimited resources. They accept jobs with tight schedules that must be met. There are truckers competing for jobs constantly. While truck maintenance is critical, sometimes there isn’t time to do more than the bare minimum. The trucker is apt to be an employee who must stick to the schedule and arrive at the destination on time. The boss can’t afford to disappoint the customer. The driver often ends up between the proverbial rock and hard place.
Truck drivers don’t want to get in accidents, but it happens. Usually a smaller vehicle is involved, but not always. Every trucker could tell dozens of stories about drivers who shot in front of them to hit an exit or did something else equally stupid. The drivers of small cars often don’t give due respect to the fact that gross vehicle weight matters. Gross vehicle weight cannot stop on a dime, either.
Truck drivers get hurt in accidents, too. While the injured driver may be able to file a Workers’ Compensation claim, that will not cover all of the expenses. If defective machinery or products contributed to the driver’s injuries, the driver may be able to pursue a claim. A Truck Accidents Lawyer Vineland NJ should be contacted as soon as possible. Evidence will quickly disappear unless it is preserved.
The Super Lawyers at Kavanagh & Kavanagh LLC of Vineland NJ stand ready to evaluate your case and explain your rights. Don’t sign any documents before talking to an experienced Truck Accidents Lawyer Vineland NJ. You need someone on your side.
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