There are tens of thousands of commercial trucks on America’s roads and highways. As a result, every individual who travels by road will at some point be near a large commercial truck. The size and weight of these trucks, when combined with a negligent driver or vehicular malfunction, can result in tragedy. When this occurs, it is important for the victims to understand what their legal options are.

Although there are many potential causes for a truck-involved accident, the most common reasons include driver fatigue, inattention and inadequate training or actions by other vehicles. Other, less common reasons for a truck-involved accident may include a shifting cargo or mechanical malfunction.

Many truck drivers must abide by strict schedules, and because of this, driver fatigue is a common cause of accidents. Fatigued drivers often make errors in judgment or are slow to react to changing road conditions. This problem can be especially serious among freelance drivers, who are usually paid by the delivery. There are federal regulations involving how many hours a truck driver can be on the road, but these regulations are often ignored by truck drivers.

Some trucking companies fail to ensure that all of their truck drivers are properly trained. Many truck drivers are not aware of proper defensive driving techniques. Even if a truck driver has a valid commercial driver’s license, he or she may not have maintained the skills needed to avoid dangerous accidents.

In some cases, an accident may be caused by another vehicle. A passenger vehicle or other commercial vehicle may enter the truck’s blind spots, leading to a collision or forcing the driver to quickly avoid the danger, potentially colliding with other vehicles on the road. If the truck driver is fatigued or improperly trained, the action he or she takes may actually make the accident worse.

Obtaining a just compensation for a truck-involved accident can be a vital part of recovering from its financial, physical and emotional consequences. Whichever one of the 3 typical commercial trucking accidents a family has suffered, obtaining effective legal assistance is vital. The law firm of Haug Law Group can help the victims and their families determine what the best possible course of action will be. For this reason, anyone who has suffered from a truck-involved accident should immediately contact one of the firm’s experienced attorneys.

 Every employer has a legal duty to ensure that the workplace is safe for his or her employees and customers alike. However, many types of working environments prone to slip and fall accidents are not properly maintained, leading to the danger that workers, customers, and visitors may suffer injury or death from an avoidable slip and fall accident. Therefore it is important to understand what types of work environments pose the most hazards for these types of accidents.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, slip and fall accidents account for over 16,000 fatalities every year. Non-fatal injuries stemming from these accidents include broken and fractured bones, brain injuries and contusions. Furthermore, these types of accidents may place the individual at risk from other causes, such as when a mechanic slips in front of a moving vehicle.

·       Improper training in safety procedures and equipment.

Retail markets, ranging from supermarkets to warehouse style stores, pose a high risk of slip and fall accidents. Workers often fail to properly post warnings around hazards such as slippery floors or unsecured equipment. These establishments also have a large number of customers present, which can drastically increase the probability of an accident.