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Kentucky Truck Accidents and Their Causes

When a small passenger vehicle is in the vicinity of a large commercial truck, every decision a driver makes is magnified. Even minor mistakes such as failing to signal a lane change could result in a significant collision. In some cases, the driver of the passenger car is at fault for an accident with a commercial truck. For instance, he or she may have been driving in “no zones” such as alongside or behind a large commercial vehicle where visibility is limited.

Driving a passenger vehicle between two trucks may increase the odds for an accident and leave the driver of the smaller car at fault. Drivers may also fail to judge how fast a commercial vehicle may be approaching an intersection and make a left turn in front of it. When a big rig is making a lane change, it is imperative that drivers of smaller vehicles speed up or slow down to allow room for it to occur safely.

There are instances when the commercial truck driver is at fault for an accident. This may be true because the driver was not trained properly or was not driving in a defensive manner while on the road. He or she may also have been driving too fast, driving while tired in an effort to make more money, distracted by a cellphone or driving under the influence.

Commercial vehicle accidents can cause catastrophic injuries to occupants of smaller cars due to their sheer size and weight. A person who has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident that was caused by a negligent truck driver may want to have the assistance of counsel in seeking compensation for medical expenses and other losses.