Getting An Attorney After A Truck Accident Is Critical – Here’s Why
Semi-truck accidents, Big Rig Accidents, Tractor Trailer Accidents and Semi Accidents involving cars all have one thing in common, they are all different. Different drivers, different circumstances, different vehicles, different road conditions.
But unfortunately, they often have the same result- severe and catastrophic injury or even death.
If you are injured in a semi-truck accident, you will have a difficult time recovering compensation. There are several complicated issues involved with accidents that involve interstate trucking.
Insurance companies have experienced lawyers working very hard to make sure they don’t have to pay or pay very little to the victims of these accidents. You should consult an experienced attorney who can represent you and your best interests instead of trying to navigate through mountains of insurance forms, statements, and medical bills and trying to get a fair settlement on your own.
Let an attorney represent you while you focus on your healing and your family.
Is Your Tractor Trailer Accident Because Of Any Of These Issues?
Causes of Semi-truck Accidents often include:
- Mechanical failure (loss of brakes, loss of steering, tire blow-outs, transmission failures, engine fires)
- Underride accidents (vehicles driving under trailers and becoming lodged)
- Accidents involving fatigued long haul drivers (drivers falling asleep at the wheel)
- Speeding (driving over posted speed limit and driving too fast for road conditions)
- Improper Lane Changes (failing to check blind spots, passing in lanes prohibited for truckers, failing to signal)
- Alcohol or Drug Use (Prescription or Illegal drugs)
- Reckless Driving (Disregarding posted speed limits, not obeying traffic signals or stop signs, weaving in and out of high volume traffic)
- Road Rage (Driving in an unsafe manner or very aggressively)
While vehicles have more effective safety features (air bags, seat belts, reinforced cages) highways are not safer. There are more cars and tractor trailers on the road than ever before. Speed limits on interstate highways have also been increased, many from 60 mph to 80 mph.
Unfortunately, the trucking industry or more specifically the tire industry has not kept pace with this trend.
In 2009 through 2013, there were just over 14,000 fatal crashes in the U.S. involving heavy trucks and buses, killing almost 16,000 people, according to NHTSA. Tires were a factor in 198 of those crashes and 223 deaths.
Accidents involving large commercial vehicles like heavy trucks and buses are often fatal or cause serious injury because of two reasons: most of these crashes occur on highways and involve speeds in excess of 65 mph and the size and weight of the mega ton vehicle involved.
Underride Semi-truck accidents are accidents that cause severe injury to the occupants of the passenger vehicle. In an underride accident, a smaller vehicle runs under the trailer of the tractor trailer usually from behind but can also occur under the side of the trailer.
Since most safety features in cars are in the front of the vehicle, the driver and front seat passenger are usually just protected by the windshield of the car. Obviously this is not enough. These accidents usually cause:
- head injuries (including traumatic brain injuries)
- spinal cord and neck injuries (resulting in permanent paralysis)
- wrongful death
- facial lacerations
- permanent disfigurement
Paul Thomson of The Thomson Law Firm offers FREE consultations to victims of semi-tractor trailer accidents. He has experience working with individuals who have suffered severe and permanent injuries. Click here for a list of cases and his proven results.
Call today to speak to an intake specialist immediately (540) 777-4900.
