All motorists owe a legal duty to others to drive safely and obey traffic laws. Because truck drivers often carry heavy loads with a combined truck and trailer weight of up to 80,000 pounds (possibly carrying dangerous cargo), they have a heightened duty to drive safely. When they ignore this duty and drive recklessly, they endanger the lives and safety of others.
An experienced truck accident lawyer from Salango Law, PLLC, can review your legal rights and options during a free consultation. Call us today to get started.
What Is Reckless Driving?
West Virginia law defines reckless driving as driving in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property on roadways open to others. The offense is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 for a first offense. If the reckless driving caused serious bodily injury, the person can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $1,000.
How Reckless Driving Endangers Others
Reckless truck drivers may speed, which increases the amount of time they need to stop to avoid a collision after recognizing a hazard. This is particularly troublesome since commercial trucks already have longer stopping distances due to their weight and size. Reckless truck drivers can also drive in an unpredictable way, such as weaving in and out of lanes or forcing other motorists off the roadway.
Why Truck Drivers Drive Recklessly
Various factors can contribute to truck driver reckless driving, including:
- Unrealistic delivery deadlines: Trucking companies are in high demand these days. They are also suffering from a substantial gap in qualified truck drivers. This puts a burden on truck drivers to complete more deliveries than is reasonable under the circumstances.
- Size of vehicle: Truck drivers may take advantage of their large vehicle’s size and push other vehicles off the roadway in front of them.
- Inexperience: Many truck drivers are new hires. They may unintentionally drive in a careless manner, not realizing the gravity of their actions.
- Driver impairment: Truck drivers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol have lowered inhibitions and impaired judgment, which can lead to them making dangerous decisions.
- Fatigue: Driving on the road for long shifts at a time can be physically and emotionally draining. Truck drivers might simply want to get off the road and go home or otherwise finish their work more quickly, leading them to drive recklessly.
- Frustration: Drivers may get annoyed with others and drive aggressively in response.
Who Is Responsible for Reckless Driving Truck Accidents?
While a truck driver can be responsible for reckless driving accidents, trucking companies that hire reckless drivers can also be responsible for resulting truck crashes. An experienced truck accident lawyer can investigate your case and identify all potential avenues for financial recovery.
Call Us for a Free Case Review
At Salango Law, PLLC, we are focused on helping truck accident victims and holding negligent parties liable for their actions. We can investigate your case, gather evidence of reckless driving, and relentlessly pursue fair compensation on your behalf. Call us today for a free consultation at (304) 342-0512.