Truck Accidents
Nearly everything we use in our daily lives is transported – at some point – by truck. This amounts to a considerable amount of truck traffic on our roadways. Standard tractor-trailers have a gross weight of 80,000 pounds, at least 30 times heavier than passenger cars. Truck accidents that involve impact upon a car or SUV can easily cause life altering injuries, and in some cases, even death.
Each year there are approximately 400,000 truck accidents on U.S. roadways. Over 60% of truck accidents take place on rural roads during daytime hours. Impatient drivers stuck behind large trucks take risks that may result in a car-truck collision or an accident with an on-coming vehicle.
When a car vs. truck accident occurs, whether it is the fault of the truck driver or the other motorist, it is most often those in the car who suffer accident injuries. Neck injuries, back injuries, amputations, nerve damage, and paraplegia are common injuries to those drivers or passengers in the car who are involved in accidents with a truck. In fact, 98% of the fatalities resulting from car vs.truck accidents are occupants of a car. In our Pennsylvania and New Jersey personal injury law practice, we represent many individuals who have sustained serious injuries due to truck accidents.
Because of their size and weight, trucks require more time and distance than cars to stop, slow down, or change course. Not all motorists are aware of these laws of physics and may not understand how to avoid causing truck accidents. Other examples of driver negligence include failure to properly change lanes and driving in a truck’s blind spots. When a trucker signals for a lane change or merge, drivers should react accordingly by adjusting speed or moving over.
Rear-end accidents often ensue when cars pass trucks and then re-enter the truck’s lane. Serious rear-end accidents also occur when a motor vehicle rear-ends a truck, accidents which are often attributable to tailgating or distracted driving.
The car driver’s negligence is only one contributing factor in car vs. truck accidents. Truck drivers are often at fault due to driver fatigue, inexperience, carrying loads which are too heavy, driving while intoxicated, driving at excessive speed, failure to use signals, brake problems, and driving trucks that are not properly maintained. Even low impact accidents with a truck can cause debilitating injuries. Studies show that more injuries and more fatalities occur in accidents where a vehicle strikes a truck. Furthermore, accident injuries can be more dangerous if a truck is carrying flammable or hazardous cargo, which can leave an accident victim with severe burn injuries.
Contacting a personal injury lawyer after a serious truck accident is extremely important. A truck accident lawyer must contact the trucking company to request that they preserve valuable data contained on the truck’s computers. This information may help prove your case.
We encourage individuals suffering with personal injuries sustained as a result of a truck accident to arrange a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer at Saile & Saile LLP. A trucking company and its insurance company will want you to work directly with them and settle your claim in hopes that you are not aware of all of the damages you may be entitled to recover. The injury lawyers at Saile & Saile LLP will assess your situation and fight for the compensation you deserve. Provide us with your contact information and we will telephone you to set up your free consultation.
