Truck Accident, What’s Next?

Although there have been improvements in trucking safety over the past decade, truck accident injuries are still deadly, if not life-altering. This is mostly because of the sheer mass of trucks as compared to regular vehicles. If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, it is imperative to contact an experienced attorney. An attorney will protect your rights and help you receive your rightful compensation. 

Common Types of Truck Accident Injuries

Every day, across the United States, we see lives change dramatically as the result of accidents with semi-trucks or 18-wheelers. Truck accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries or fatalities than other motor vehicle accidents. According to the National Institute of Traffic and Highway Safety, about 73 percent of all truck crash deaths and injuries are suffered by people hit by the truck.

A Glimpse of Truck Accident Facts

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,

·         1 percent of all truck crashes are fatal.

·         23 percent of truck accidents result in injury.

·         Truck crash injuries account for eight percent of all fatal crashes and three percent of all automobile injuries in the U.S.

·         63 percent of tractor trailer accidents occur on rural roads.

·         83 percent of truck crashes happen on weekdays.

Types of Truck Accident Injuries

Most of the truck accident injuries can be catastrophic and can take years to recover or cannot fully ever be recovered from. Truck accident victims are likely to experience one or more of the following types of injuries.

·         Back and neck injuries

·         Spinal cord injuries

·         Head injuries

·         Broken bones

·         Internal injuries

·         Lacerations

·         Rib and torso injuries

Back and neck injuries can be anything from minor neck pain, often referred to as whiplash, to dislocated spinal discs. Other life-altering damage can be trauma to the spinal cord. This can cause permanent disability. In fact, even minor injuries to this area can affect the victim’s life and prevent them from returning to their daily routines.

Another most common injury in truck accident is head Injury. This may include concussions, which range from minor to severe, unconsciousness, coma, and serious brain injuries, which may lead to a permanent loss of cognitive functions.

Internal injuries, which include internal bleeding and ruptured organs, usually from blunt trauma, are catastrophic and are difficult to treat. External injuries such as burns and lacerations also have similar causes and may lead to scarring.

Common Types of Truck Accident

My husband is a truck driver. I am always worried for him as truck accidents are a common occurrence. Can truck accident lead to serious injuries? What are the common types of truck accident injuries one should be aware of?

Most of the truck accident injuries can be catastrophic and can take years to recover or cannot fully ever be recovered from. Truck accident victims are likely to experience one or more of the following types of injuries.

·         Back and neck injuries

·         Spinal cord injuries

·         Head injuries

·         Broken bones

·         Internal injuries

·         Lacerations

·         Rib and torso injuries

Why is it important to contact a lawyer in a truck accident?

If you have been involved in a truck accident, you need to make sure that your legal rights are protected. Most importantly, because truck companies are highly regulated by both state and federal law, a truck accident can easily become a complicated legal issue. The best thing for you to do is to get in touch with an experienced truck accident lawyer who is familiar with all of these regulations.

Reasons Causing Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are the most fatal of all road accidents. Because trucks are usually big and long, it is the people in the smaller vehicles who are at the receiving end of these accidents. If you are the victim of a truck accident, make sure that your legal rights are protected. Most importantly, because truck companies are highly regulated by both state and federal law, a truck accident can easily become a complicated legal issue. The best thing for you to do is to get in touch with an experienced truck accident lawyer who is familiar with all of these regulations.

Here are some of the most common reasons why truck accidents occur:

Bad Weather

Bad weather is the biggest challenge truck drivers face on the road. It is true that truck drivers are trained to drive safely in all kinds of weather, and to know when they should stop driving if safety is compromised. However, as drivers are usually on a tight schedule to meet commercial demands, they may tend to disregard safety measures. They are worried about losing their jobs if they fail to meet the demands of their clients or employers. Therefore, they sometimes end up making bad decisions. But no matter what the situation is, if you or someone you know is a victim of a truck accident, make sure you contact a lawyer right away.

Overload

When a truck is overloaded, it is difficult for the driver to stop the vehicle, which makes it more vulnerable to accidents. Despite all the regulations relating to this issue, accidents involving overloaded trucks continue to occur. Afterward, a ‘blame game’ usually ensues concerning the overloading situation among drivers, truck companies, truck loading companies and weight stop officials. All this can complicate the process of getting a fair compensation for your injuries. This is why, as a victim of a truck accident, you need to obtain the services of a competent lawyer.

Driver Fatigue

Truck driver fatigue accidents usually occur because of three reasons: lack of sufficient sleep, long shifts and sheer exhaustion from a long-term pattern of sleeplessness. There is an irony in the driver fatigue phenomenon. If the drivers follow federal regulations and get enough sleep, it could cost them their jobs, which require them to make their deliveries quickly. Most truck drivers, therefore, don’t hesitate to risk an accident to protect their jobs.

Blind Spots

Trucks are generally bulky, heavy and long compared to cars and motorcycles, which are significantly smaller in size. This is sometimes why truck drivers fail to notice people and vehicles near their trucks – a factor that can easily lead to accidents.

Poor Maintenance

Many drivers and truck companies delay replacement and repair of their trucks because these measures cost them money and slow down their business. In the meantime, their poorly maintained trucks can potentially create chaos on the roads.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 104,000 people were injured in large truck accidents in one year alone.

Motorcycle Truck Collision

When I was on the freeway riding my motorcycle, a commercial truck took a sudden turn and hit my vehicle. I am badly injured. The driver of the truck said that he did not see me driving by. What kind of a lawyer should I contact?

You have been in a blind spot truck accident. Contact a truck accident injury lawyer right away. An experienced lawyer can get you all the compensation you are entitled to - be it your medical bills or compensation for the damage done to your motorcycle.

What are the causes of rollover truck accidents?

Causes of rollover truck accidents include:

Speeding: This is one of the top causes of rollover truck accidents. These happen when truck drivers operate under tight deadlines and exceed speed limits.

Turning too quickly: Rollover truck accidents happen when truck drivers make an abrupt change in steering to avoid other vehicles or obstacles in the road. The faster trucks turn, the higher the risks they face.

Improperly loaded cargo's: When trucks are improperly loaded with cargo's, they can tip over while making turns and cause serious injuries.

Driver errors: Driving while ill or tired or impaired, as well as distracted driving, such as driving while using mobile phones or reaching for drinks or the radio controls, are other causes of rollover truck accidents.

Manufacturing defects: Defectively manufactured parts, such as tire blowouts, brake failures or problems with the steering or coupling systems can cause accidents.  

Rollover Truck Accidents- Causes and Liability

Rollovers are one of the worst kinds of truck accidents. These accidents occur when something causes trucks’ wheels to lose contact with the road. These accidents can cause several chain-reaction collisions that can cause serious injuries to many other motorists on the road.

Causes of rollover truck accidents

Speeding: Speeding is one of the top causes of rollover truck accidents. These happen when truck drivers operate under tight deadlines and exceed speed limits.

Turning too quickly: Rollover truck accidents happen when truck drivers make an abrupt change in steering to avoid other vehicles or obstacles on the road. The faster trucks turn, the higher the risks they face.

Improperly loaded cargo's: When trucks are improperly loaded with cargo's, they can tip over while making turns and cause serious injuries.

Driver errors: Driving while ill or tired or impaired,as well as distracted driving, such as driving while using mobile phones or reaching for drinks or the radio controls, are other causes of rollover truck accidents.

Manufacturing defects: Defectively manufactured parts, such as tire blowouts, brake failures or problems with the steering or coupling systems can cause accidents. 

Who is liable for rollover truck accidents?

Parties that may be held liable for rollover truck accidents include:

Truck drivers: If accidents occur because of drivers’ errors, they may be held liable.

Manufacturers or maintenance team: If defective tires or poor maintenance cause the accidents, manufacturers or maintenance teams can be held liable.

Cargo loading company: If cargo's are not loaded properly, the cargo loading companies in question can be held liable.

Municipalities: If accidents occur because of dangerous road conditions, municipalities may be held liable for the injuries.

Truck Accident

My brother was injured in a rollover truck accident on the highway. He has suffered serious injuries and is currently hospitalized. Who can be sued for the accident?

A number of parties may be held liable for rollover truck accidents,such as:

•         Truck drivers, if the accident occurred due to driver errors
•          Manufacturers of defective parts
•          Cargo loaders, if the cargo was not loaded properly
•          Other motorists, if they caused the truck driver to lose control
•       Government entity, if the accident was caused by road hazards