Just like every type of vehicle on the road, semi-truck drivers sometimes cause accidents. In addition to the typical dangers of the roadways, truck drivers that spend long hours behind the wheel face the dangers of driver fatigue. Although the government generally regulates how many hours truck drivers can spend behind the wheel, there is no guarantee that they always follow the guidelines.
In addition to driver’s negligence, their vehicles can be improperly loaded or inspected, which can cause items to fall out of the trailer as they are driving. Mechanical breakdowns and general driver conditions can cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it is crucial for you to contact a truck accident attorney at Needaninjuryattorney.com as soon as possible. You may be entitled to financial compensation for damages you sustained in the accident so call us today to speak with a skilled truck accident lawyer.
Truck Accident Statistics
The statistics surrounding 18-wheelers are alarming. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 433,000 accidents were reported to police officers involving trucks. Out of all of these accidents, 116,000 individuals were injured, and 4,067 lost their lives.
Out of all the fatalities reported, 84% of individuals who lost their lives were occupants of other vehicles on the road. These alarming numbers clearly demonstrate the dangers individuals face while sharing roadways with trucks.
Being involved in a truck accident can have life-changing consequences. Individuals are often forced to go through extensive therapy and deal with excruciating pain. Have you or a family member been injured in a truck accident? If so, call the lawyers at Needaninjuryattorney.com to have all of your questions answered.
Truck Accident Liability
Being involved in a truck accident is a very unique situation. The vehicles are often much larger than others on the roadway, which often leads to catastrophic injuries. Because trucks are often driven for work-related purposes, there are several parties that can be held liable for truck accidents resulting in injuries.
When a person is injured in a truck accident, they can seek compensation for damages they sustained. Some of the liable parties include:
The Truck Driver: The truck driver can be held liable for damages if they engaged in negligent or reckless acts while behind the wheel. Being distracted fatigued, or driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol are all causes for liability. Disobeying traffic signals, crossing lanes, speeding, and other reckless behavior can call result in truck accident claims against liable drivers.
The Truck Owner: If a party other than the driver is the owner of the truck, they can be liable for accidents in which their property is involved. If they are abusing substances, speeding, or driving negligently and cause an accident, they can be held liable for all injuries sustained.
The Truck Driver’s Employer: The truck company can be held liable for injuries in certain situations. This generally applies to circumstances where the company failed to adequately maintain their vehicles or in cases where they allow drivers to pass the hourly limits for driving. There are other circumstances in which a company can be held liable. An experienced truck accident attorney can review your case to determine who all the liable parties are.
The Truck Manufacturer: If a manufacturer sold a defective part, they could be held liable for any accidents it caused. When manufacturers send parts or equipment out for vehicles, it is assumed that they are going to be functioning properly and reliably. If the parts do not perform as expected, and someone is injured in a truck accident as a result, the manufacturer can be held liable for all damages sustained by the injured party. The liability may even extend to retailers in some circumstances.
The Loading Company: If a loading company overloaded a truck, or improperly secured a load onto a truck, and, as a result, items fell off the truck while it was moving down the roadway, the loading company can be held liable for injuries. Loading companies are entrusted by other companies to load on the correct loads while meeting all safety standards. Not following all the requirements can place them liable for any injuries incurred by other drivers on the road.
If you were injured in a truck accident, it is imperative for you to contact a truck accident attorney at Needaninjuryattorney.com as soon as possible. Our attorneys can help you recover the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to from every liable party involved.
Common Factors In Truck Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provides a list of factors that commonly cause truck accidents across the United States. The top ten factors include:
- Brake problems
- Congestion and other interruptions to the flow of traffic
- Driver impairment caused by prescription drugs
- Driving too fast for weather conditions
- Problems on the roadway
- Driving on unfamiliar roadways
- Traffic control devices or crosswalks that require drivers to stop
- Driver fatigue
- Driver impairment caused by over-the-counter medications
- Inadequate surveillance measures
Unsecured loads on trucks and improper maintenance are other common causes of truck accidents across the United States. If you are involved in an accident with a large truck, it is imperative for you to contact a truck accident attorney at Needaninjuryattorney.com as soon as possible. You may be entitled to recover compensation for damages sustained in your accident.
Recoverable Damages In A Truck Accident
Injury victims in truck accidents can recover compensation for damages they sustained. These victims often face severe, life-threatening injuries that can dramatically impact their daily lives. Some of the most commonly awarded damages are:
Medical Bills: Injury victims are able to receive compensation that covers all of the medical expenses for injuries sustained during a truck accident. These medical expenses can include doctor visits, emergency room bills, surgeries, therapies, and other types of medical treatment and equipment needed to treat the injuries.
Lost Wages: Individuals who sustain serious injuries are often unable to return to work for an extended period. Filing a claim for a truck accident can help an injured party obtain compensation for their lost wages. If a person is forced out of work permanently, judges can award lost wages for the duration of their working life. This requires a complex calculation to determine the about of lost wages based on inflation and years worked. A personal injury attorney can help a claimant calculate the value of the damages they can recover for lost wages.
Pain And Suffering: Individuals who suffer injuries in truck accidents can recover compensation for both mental and physical pain and suffering. These amounts of awarded to compensate victims for the difficulties and challenges they face from their accidents.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services: In circumstances where individuals lose limbs or are unable to use their arms or legs, they may be able to go through vocational rehabilitation to secure a new career path. If this is possible, the liable party can be ordered to pay the costs of training for injury victims.
Loss Of Life Enjoyment: Individuals who are involved in truck accidents may sustain life-altering injuries. These injuries often prevent them from engaging in activities they once enjoyed. When individuals are forced to sacrifice their hobbies or enjoyment due to their injuries, liable parties can be required to compensate the victims.
Loss Of Companionship: There are instances where damages can be awarded due to loss of companionship. This category generally covers situations where individuals and their spouses are suffering due to injuries. They may not be able to enjoy the qualities of their marriage or engage in maintain the same family dynamic as they shared before the accident.
Property damage: Injured drivers are able to obtain compensation for the loss of their vehicle and other belongings that were on them at the time of the accident. Chances are, individuals who are involved in accidents with trucks will not be able to drive their vehicles again. These individuals will need new vehicles and should be compensated fairly to obtain a replacement.
Punitive Damages: Some states allow injury victims to obtain punitive damages when they are involved in truck accidents. These damages are generally awarded as a punishment toward the negligent driver and do not have to compensate an injury victim for any damages sustained.
In order to obtain the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to, it is crucial to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
What To Do If You Are Involved In A Truck Accident
If you are ever involved in a truck accident, you are most likely overwhelmed and in pain. Being able to think clearly and rationalize what is going on may be quite difficult. Although you may be scared, it is important that you complete the following steps as soon as possible following your accident:
Obtain immediate medical attention: Being involved in a truck accident means you and your passengers most likely suffered injuries. Even if you feel like you do not need medical attention, it is crucial to obtain a prompt medical examination to ensure there are no internal injuries. Not addressing these types of injuries, like spinal cord injuries or brain damage, can have life-threatening consequences. Additionally, not receive immediate medical attention may jeopardize your ability to document the cause of your injuries, which can have a damaging impact on your ability to file a lawsuit at a later time.
Preserve all possible evidence: After a truck accident, it is imperative for you to preserve evidence of your medical conditions as well as what actually happened at the scene of the accident. Truck companies often work quickly, employing rapid response teams and attorneys right after accidents occur. These teams may take photographs of the accident, or police officers may take them to document the accident in their reports. If police officers do not readily take photographs, request that they do. If you are able to, take as many photos as you can using a phone or camera. Take photos of the truck, your vehicle, and any other vehicles involved in the accident. These photos can help experts reconstruct the scene of the accident at a later time.
Preserve your vehicle: If anyone was killed or severely injured in the truck accident, it is crucial for you to preserve your vehicle until you retain an attorney to represent your case. The attorney will investigate the vehicle, or have an expert look it over, to determine if any defective parts contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained by you or any occupants of your vehicle. Even when a truck causes an accident, a defective airbag or another part can cause injuries to be more severe.
Contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Being involved in a truck accident can result in serious injuries that can be life-changing. Trucking companies often hire experienced attorneys to fight liability and limit their damages. Having an experienced attorney from Needaninjuryattorney.com on your side will ensure the best possible outcome for your claim. Our attorneys will be able to hire investigators, secure evidence, and communicate effectively between law enforcement, witnesses, medical professionals, and insurance companies.
A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You Win Your Case
Hiring the least expensive attorney can end up costing you more in the end. It is imperative for you to hire an experienced attorney who is familiar with all the state and federal laws applicable to your case. Hiring an attorney from Needaninjuryattorney.com ensure that our legal team will work diligently to protect your legal rights will ensure you recover a full and fair amount of compensation.
Our truck accident attorneys will guide you every step of the way to ensure all legal routes are explored for your case. An aggressive attorney will help you:
- File your claim
- Investigate your accident
- Communicate between insurance companies
- Collect evidence
- Gather witness statements
- Hire expert witnesses
- Negotiate fair and full settlement amounts
- Conduct financial analysis to determine wages and medical expenses
- And more
If you were injured in a truck accident, contact an attorney at Needaninjuryattorney.com as soon as possible to protect your legal rights to compensation and fight for the justice you deserve. We have years of experience successfully representing clients who have been injured in a truck accident that was caused by the negligent actions of another person or entity. We can help you too. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a qualified member of our team.