{"id":26441,"date":"2019-10-11T13:27:28","date_gmt":"2019-10-11T18:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abconlinehold.wpengine.com\/?post_type=faq&p=26441"},"modified":"2023-01-30T10:48:38","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T15:48:38","slug":"hit-by-a-commercial-truck","status":"publish","type":"faq-article","link":"https:\/\/mcdonaldworley.com\/es\/faq\/hit-by-a-commercial-truck\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do if Hit by a Commercial Truck"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the United States, there are some 3.5 million truck drivers and 15.5 million trucks \u20142.2 million of which are tractor-trailers<\/a>\u2014in operation on American highways, according to T<\/span>ruckInfo.net<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

And with more than 70 percent of U.S. freight tonnage transported by trucks, it\u2019s no surprise that the death toll of truck-involved crashes is on the rise. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFatalities in truck-involved crashes have risen four years in a row, reaching 3,964 in 2013, the latest data available,\u201d The New York Times reported in 2015, noting that deaths involving trucks<\/strong><\/a> jumped 17 percent from 2009 to 2013. <\/span><\/p>\n

During the same time period, according to the Times, traffic fatalities for all motor vehicles declined by 3 percent, a statistic the newspaper attributed to the automobile industry implementing safety improvements such as airbags, electronic stability control, and anti-lock brakes. The trucking industry has not followed suit.<\/span><\/p>\n

A February 2015 report by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety reported that \u201cannual truck crash fatalities are equivalent to a major airplane crash every other week of the year.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Ninety-six percent of fatalities in two-vehicle crashes between a large truck and a passenger vehicle were occupants of the passenger vehicle, according to the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety report. <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to large trucks, American roadways are bustling with commercial vans and smaller-size commercial trucks. <\/span><\/p>\n

Commercial truck accidents are commonplace and it\u2019s important for drivers to know their rights if involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a commercial truck accident<\/strong><\/a>, the automobile driver can sue both the truck driver and the trucker\u2019s employer. If the truck driver was acting in the course of his employment, the employer is liable for the trucker\u2019s negligent actions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The strength of a commercial truck case relies heavily on the evidence collected and actions taken following the crash.<\/span><\/p>\n