The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that approximately 415,000 big truck crashes occur each year. According to the Truck Accident Data Center, there were 81 reports of big truck crashes that resulted in fatalities in December 2016 alone. Most of those killed were occupants of smaller passenger vehicles.
Commercial semi-trucks often weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger cars. They also tend to be taller and have greater ground clearance, which can cause occupants of a passenger vehicle to sustain catastrophic or even fatal injuries if the vehicle is involved in an underride collision.
There are several potential causes of big truck crashes, including:
- Poor brake maintenance
- Driver fatigue
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Driver negligence or recklessness
- Trucking company policies
- Road hazards
- Adverse weather conditions
Because of the immense size and weight of semi-trucks and other commercial trucks, big truck crashes can be devastating. Truck accident victims may need to undergo extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation as they recover from their injuries. They may also be forced to take an extended leave from work, causing them financial hardship in the form of lost income. If the truck accident causes fatalities, the surviving family members will be faced with many financial, psychological, and emotional hardships.
Know Your Legal Rights
If you have been injured in an 18 wheeler accident, contact a truck accident attorney immediately to discuss your legal rights and options. Trucking insurance companies will typically work hard to minimize their liability and the value of the injured party’s claim. The insurer may offer a lowball settlement that does not adequately compensate you for your medical expenses and other damages.
A skilled truck accident attorney will have the experience necessary to investigate your case and determine who was at fault in the accident. Several parties may be liable in a semi-truck crash lawsuit, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, and others.
You may be entitled to money damages to compensate you for your losses, including your past and future medical bills, past and future lost wages, physical impairment, disfigurement, and pain and suffering. If a loved one was killed in a semi-truck accident, you may qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of consortium, lost financial and emotional support, and other losses you experienced following your loved one’s death.
Get Free Legal Help
Victims of big truck crashes often find it frustrating to deal with the accident aftermath. On top of the time, money, and energy spent while they are being treated for their injuries, they must also deal with insurance companies who do not have their best interests at heart. Instead of trying to navigate the insurance system on their own, they should contact a trucking accident lawyer to fight on their behalf for the compensation they deserve.
The attorneys at McDonald Worley will leave no stone unturned to determine all contributing factors to the accident and hold the responsible parties accountable. They will fight tirelessly for their clients to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for the injuries sustained in big truck crashes. Call today to schedule a free case evaluation.