Personal Injury Attorney
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, truck accidents were responsible for over 77,000 injuries and 4,300 deaths in the past year. While trucks are only responsible for a small segment of road injuries, truck accidents tend to be more dangerous and life-threatening due to the size and weight of the vehicle. By definition, a truck accident is a collision involving a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, tractor trailer or other commercial vehicle. These accidents account for over 200,000 property damage claims each year. Collisions with these large vehicles could be devastating to you or loved ones.
Factors at Play
For most car accidents, claims are easily settled as the at-fault party is usually one of the drivers and a human error violation. Truck accidents can get a little more complicated. While the driver will usually be held liable, some of the responsibility may fall of the truck company or even the equipment on board. Equipment failure could be the fault of either the driver since they are responsible for checking the equipment and all parts of the truck prior to the trip. This could alternatively show negligence on the part of the truck company as they may be liable for properly maintaining the vehicle.
Common Causes
There are several reasons truck accidents are more catastrophic than car accidents; many of which revolve around the cause of the accident. Some of the most common causes are:
- Improper Load: If the truck was not loaded properly, the equipment can shift or fall during transport.
- Bad Driving: Truck drivers that do not follow the rules of the road could cause rear-end or t-bone collisions.
- Fatigue: Most truck drivers travel long distances cause sleep-deprivation and tiredness.
- Squeeze Play: This happens when a truck makes a wide right turn and the car is trapped between the truck and the curb.
Damages
If you were injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle, you could receive damages—financial compensation for any emotional, physical or financial losses. Determining the losses could take some time, as attorneys are hesitant to settle before all medical or financial needs arise. Victims of truck accidents could be compensated for all medical care, rehabilitation costs, physical therapy, rehoming and loss of earning capacity.
It’s very rare for someone to make it out of a truck accident without some injuries. If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, reach out to an experienced Woodland Hills trucking accident lawyer. You should have someone on your side to fight truck companies and their multi-million dollar insurance policies, and ensure that you recover money for any losses.
Thanks to Barry P. Goldberg for their insight into personal injury claims and the differences between truck and car accidents.
