Posted in General
Personal Injury Lawyer
Truck accidents can be devastating, and often result in severe, life threatening injuries. Sadly a number of people involved in these collisions will lose their life. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, large trucks are considered to be those that have a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. In 2017, there were 107,000 crashes that caused injuries, 4,657 accidents that caused at least one death, and 363,000 crashes that caused property damage.
In at least half of these accidents, the driver of the truck, the truck company, or truck manufacturer is at fault for what happened. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, compensation may be eligible. Due to the common complications that are all too often involved in these cases, it is recommended that you consult a truck accident lawyer, as soon as you can.
The Danger of Large Trucks
Several aspects of semi-trucks and big rigs make them particularly dangerous when they are involved in an accident. These trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times more than the average passenger vehicle – especially when they are loaded with cargo. In addition to the sheer size and weight of a big rig, large trucks can be more dangerous than sedans because:
- Large trucks are slow to brake; the average loaded semi truck can take 20-40 times as long to stop as the average passenger vehicle.
- It is more difficult to control large trucks because of their weight, size, and length.
- There is an increased chance for fatigued drivers to be on the road.
Like all drivers, truck drivers may also be susceptible to dangerous behaviors that can lead to an accident. Truck accident lawyers have handled cases that included the following behaviors of a truck driver –
Speeding – Truck drivers may be inclined to drive faster so as to get to their destination as soon as possible. Sometimes this is done because there are financial incentives involved.
Distracted Driving – Texting, talking on the phone, using a CB radio, eating, drinking, or anything else that strays away from focusing on the road can cause an accident.
Drinking or Using Drugs – Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can put the driver of the truck and others on the road in significant danger.
Other negligent actions include:
- Changing lanes abruptly
- Failure to see an oncoming car because of a blind spot
- Tailgating
- Failing to signal
The stress of driving on the road for many hours every day can also increase the drivers’ potential for being reckless or careless. This is true even though there is a federal limit of 11 hours on the road, per day.
A truck accident lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation. Although it might not change what happened, it can make recovery easier, and even bring forth a sense of closure. To learn more, call a law office today.
