Being involved in a trucking accident can be devastating. You may incur significant injuries and damages. Thus, you should how to get the compensation you deserve. To do this, you need to identify the liable party. Trucking accidents occur due to several causes, from the driver’s negligence to the company’s mistakes.
One of the factors that can contribute to a trucking accident is the company’s payment system. Here is how this can happen:
Pay-per-mile structures
Most trucking companies pay drivers according to the miles they complete per week. While this has proven to be a reliable system, as drivers make a decent income, it leads to dangerous behaviors on the road. Some drivers speed, run the red light/stop sign, refuse to yield, and change lanes unsafely, among other risky behaviors, to complete more miles.
Driving near a truck driver who is more focused on the distance they need to cover instead of keeping other road users safe can endanger you. They may make a mistake and lead you to an accident.
Pay-per-load structures
Paying a percentage of the load a driver carries results in better income, but one can be tempted to overload the truck to make more money. They may ask the loading company to overload the truck or can drive beyond speed limits to cover more trips.
Overloading puts more weight, making it difficult for the driver to control the truck. Further, it stresses the tires, which can burst. Speeding to cover more trips, which translates to more cargo, also risks other road users.
If you are injured by a truck driver, it will help to get legal guidance to receive compensation that can cover all your damages.