Many types of truck accidents can occur on the road, and those that include other vehicles and people often have the potential to cause grave harm. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that 107,000 large trucks had involvement in injury crashes in 2017, and over 4,700 fatal injuries resulted from accidents with large trucks.
The size, weight, and dimensions of large trucks present an increased danger to the vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists in their vicinity. Unlike passenger vehicle drivers, many truck drivers must arrive at their destination by a certain date and time, and they may push the federal legal limit of up to 11 consecutive driving hours without rest to meet these deadlines. In fact, driving while fatigued played a role in more than one in 10 large truck accidents leading to serious or fatal injury between 2001 and 2003.
Fatigued driving accounts for just one example of the many causes of truck accidents, which sometimes have many contributing factors. If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, a lawyer could help you determine liability and seek compensation for your damages.
Types of Collisions in Truck Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), large trucks often weigh up to 30 times more than passenger vehicles, putting cars, SUVs, and small trucks at a disadvantage in the event of an accident. Additionally, trucks require 20% to 40% more room to come to a complete stop, increasing the risk of collision for those in their paths. Large trucks can cause serious or fatal injury in all types of truck accidents, including:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Rollovers
- T-bone accidents, or those that occur at a perpendicular angle
- Jackknife accidents, in which the trailer swings and collides with other vehicles
- Underride accidents, in which cars ride under the truck
- Accidents caused by unintentional circumstances, like flat tires and spilled cargo
Due to the extensive space they take up on the road, large trucks often result in multi-vehicle accidents, which have the potential to cause more harm to more people.
Driver Behaviors That Can Cause Truck Accidents
Accidents can occur for many reasons, including bad weather, poor vehicle maintenance, unexpected hazards, and other situations over which a truck driver has no control. However, human error plays a part in most accidents. This includes truck accidents, which may result from driver behaviors such as:
- Driving drunk or under the influence of other drugs or medication
- Driving distracted
- Improperly turning or changing lanes
- Speeding
- Failing to consider road, weather, or traffic conditions while driving
- Failing to yield
- Driving aggressively
If you suffered injuries in an accident in which the truck driver caused you harm as a result of their negligent behavior, you might qualify for financial awards.
People and Vehicles Involved in Truck Accidents
Passenger vehicle occupants suffer fatal injuries in truck accidents more often than truck occupants. Unfortunately, this means those who do not even have the protection of a vehicle to lessen the impact have a greater risk of experiencing serious or fatal injuries in a truck accident.
Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists might be involved in large truck accidents. Other accidents with large trucks include collisions with:
- Scooters
- Ridesharing vehicles
- Buses
- Tractors
Regardless of the circumstances that led to the serious or fatal injuries you or a loved one suffered, a lawyer can help you determine if you have a case.
Pursuing Compensation for Your Truck Accident Case
Large truck accidents cause injuries more often than not, including those that lead to mental and emotional injuries. Sadly, many victims also suffer fatal injuries, and their families can seek justice and compensation on their behalf.
The types of compensation you may receive varies based on the insurance laws in your state, the extent of your damages, and the cause of the accident. A lawyer can help you determine if you qualify for financial awards, which may include payment for:
- Emergency medical bills and ongoing healthcare costs for treatment related to the injury
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- Medical equipment and medications
- Lost wages for missed time at work
- Loss of future wages if you suffered a disability as a result of the accident or you lost a loved one who provided for you financially
- Pain and suffering for the emotional, physical, and mental trauma you suffered or the loss of a loved one
- Funeral and burial expenses if a loved one suffered fatal injuries in the accident
Get Help from a Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one suffered serious or fatal injuries in a truck accident, you do not have to deal with the legal system on your own. Our attorneys can help by taking over your case for you, investigating the accident, handling all communication with insurance companies, and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
You do not owe us anything unless we achieve financial recovery in your favor. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (800) 235-0444 to discuss your case with our team.
