Commercial Truck Accidents Resource

Ordinary car accidents are devastating incidents that can cause people involved a great deal of pain. When an accident occurs that involves a commercial truck, the results can be even worse. In a normal car accident, both vehicles more or less receive the same energy as damage or extreme motions (flipping, spinning). Large eighteen wheelers or other freight vehicles can weigh over 30 times that of a normal car, so the truck will not receive nearly as much damage as your vehicle, which will be greater, even potentially fatal. Now it is the case that truck drivers are more careful on the road than normal drivers, their job is at stake, but at the turn of the millennium, commercial trucks accounted for over five thousand fatalities and over an eight of a million injuries. Compound upon this the risk posed if the truck is carrying hazardous or flammable materials, and the potential for disaster is high.

Making a Claim

The main argument a plaintiff will make in a legal case is that of negligence. That is to say that the truck driver made a preventable error that led to the accident. This could be through improper vehicle maintenance, poor driving, or in some other way failed to properly execute their task. The task of the victim is to demonstrate that the truck driver failed in showing reasonable care and that their failure lead to injuries sustained. The driver as well as their company, employers and insurance company should all be named defendants in the case, since the driver may not be the only one who is guilty of a failure of duty. Trucking companies are legally responsible for their drivers, given that they have some control over the driver, and the driver was working for the company at the time. If hazardous materials are involved, their manufacturer may also be responsible.

Should an accident occur, the injured party may be able to claim damages for losses, be they physical, emotional or financial. This is a complicated thing, because how much is pain worth? Skilled and experienced attorneys can easily consider all of the variables.

Special Considerations

There are unique dangers that can occur in a truck accident. Jackknifing is an accident which can occur in extreme cases, and may not be avoidable in many cases since avoiding the jackknife may cause a worse accident. Many times, a jackknife will occur due to sudden slippery conditions or careless motorists.

Trucks also suffer for accidents occurring from turning. Long, large vehicles are difficult to turn, and sometimes the driver needs to utilize two lanes for a right turn, otherwise it could hit sidewalks and cars. In this case, some courts have ruled that the practice is enough to establish fault in the driver.

What is important for the victim of a commercial truck accident is to consult a lawyer as to the options available. There are deadlines for filing a claim, so it is best to work quickly and find out your options.

Contact an Attorney in your local area today!