FL Injury Lawyers (Home) / Clearwater Truck Accident Lawyer /

It is difficult to conceive of a more frightening accident than a runaway trailer. The damage caused by a trailer that barrels down the roadway unattended can be overwhelming – and everyone who shares the road is at extreme risk of being seriously injured. If you’ve been injured in a runaway trailer accident, seek the professional legal counsel of an experienced Clearwater runaway trailer accident attorney today.

Runaway Trailers are More Common than You Think

Runaway trailers are a less recognized but persistent cause of crashes, injuries, and deaths across the United States. The government does not provide specific statistics on these uncoupling accidents, but it is still important to be aware that they happen and cause devastation. One minute you might be driving along on the highway and, the next, a truck’s trailer might come unattached right before your eyes.

The danger inherent to runaway trailers cannot be overstated. They are, perhaps, most notable for the degree of damage they cause – often leading to multi-vehicle crashes, extended periods of blocked traffic, or random occurrences, such as crashing into houses and businesses. When a truck’s trailer comes loose, there is nothing to control it or stop it from crashing into anything in its path, including motor vehicles and their occupants.

Causes of Runaway Truck Accidents

While every accident is caused by the unique combination of factors involved, there are two basic causes that tend to apply to runaway truck accidents.

Failure to Conduct Pre-Trip Inspections

Drivers are required by regulatory laws to conduct pre-trip inspections of their rigs, which includes going through a checklist of components. The rig’s coupling device is one of the items on this list. The trucker is required to ensure that the trailer connection is not only securely fastened but also in good working order (well-maintained). Unfortunately, the following can all threaten the inspection process:

  • The truck driver cuts safety corners
  • The trucking company pushes the driver to make better time and allows them to skimp on inspections
  • The trucking company fails to maintain the coupling device safely in the first place
  • The trucking company instructs the trucker to ignore related safety issues in order to save time and money

Faultily Manufactured Parts

Trailers are coupled to tractors by complex coupling systems that include the hitch or coupling device itself, which works in close connection with the truck’s airlines, and when any part of this carefully calibrated system malfunctions, it can cause a runaway trailer accident. Such accidents are often the result of faultily manufactured truck parts for which the parts manufacturer bears responsibility.

Consult with an Experienced Clearwater Runaway Trailer Accident Attorney Today

If a runaway trailer leaves you or someone you care about injured – or worse – the trusted Clearwater runaway trailer accident attorneys at Tragos, Sartes & Tragos have a wealth of experience guiding cases like yours toward favorable resolutions. We are on your side, so please don’t wait to contact us online or call us at 727-441-9030 for more information today.