Truck accidents are among the most complex and deadly motor vehicle accidents. The size and weight difference between passenger vehicles and commercial trucks are extreme. Even a low-speed impact can have catastrophic consequences.
When you or a loved one suffers injury in a truck accident, it is important to have a lawyer on your side who can help you get the compensation you are truly due.
Truck Accident Causes
Truck drivers are often required to meet unrealistic deadlines or face repercussions. Unfortunately, this means even otherwise reasonable individuals can find themselves in positions where skipping sleep, lying about hours of operation, or using stimulants is necessary for keeping their job. This places everyone on the road at serious risk for fatal injury.
Drowsy driving impacts reaction time in a similar manner as intoxication and poses just as much of a threat. Dealing with fatigue with drugs creates additional risks as they can impact cognitive function, make thoughtful and intelligent actions more difficult, and increase the risk of engaging in dangerous behaviors such as:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Improper lane changes
All of which can lead to an accident.
Driver intoxication, driving while distracted, and poor cab or trailer maintenance often contribute to truck accidents as well. So too do:
- Improley weighted trailers
- Poorly secured loads
- Dangerous roadways
When you are injured in a truck accident, the cause may be important for establishing liability. This is one of the most compelling reasons to have a lawyer on your side.
Who is Liable for Truck Accidents?
There are often multiple parties involved in truck accident cases. When a driver is compelled to break local and federal laws regarding hours of operation, the company he or she drives for may share a portion of the blame. So too might the company that loaded or secured the trailer, parts manufacturers, mechanics, and the driver himself.
In some cases, government entities share liability for truck accidents as well.
Securing fair compensation relies on identifying all liable parties. An attorney will be essential for this process.
Truck Accident Damages
Depending on the severity of your truck accident, you may be entitled to seek damages for:
- All related medical expenses
- Wages lost during or after recovery
- Damaged or lost property
- Any home or lifestyle modifications made necessary by your injury
- Emotional and physical pain and suffering
These damages may be provided through a settlement or through a trial. Your truck accident lawyer will help you determine which course of action is best.
Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death
Many truck accidents result in a loss of life. When you lose a loved one in a truck accident, you need an experienced and dedicated lawyer on your side right away. Having an attorney helps protect your family against the predatory tactics of insurance companies while enabling those impacted by the loss to seek damages including projected wages and income, along with loss of companionship and emotional trauma.
Contact Us to Schedule a Complimentary Case Review
To schedule a complimentary case review, please call our office today. We serve victims of truck accidents living throughout our region.
