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The little-known truth is plenty of truck drivers are forced to work lengthy shifts.  We share the roads with fatigued drivers who should not be operating any motor vehicle, let alone a massive semi-truck.  Making matters worse is the fact that many truck drivers are more than willing to falsify log records to create the impression they are working less than they actually are.  Fatigued drivers combined with crowded highways lined with enormous tractor trailers have the potential to result in serious injury or death.  There is no doubt trucking accidents are one of the most pressing dangers to everyday people.

Injured in a Truck Accident?  Our Legal Services can Help

Our personal injury attorneys will engage in legal battle to obtain the benefits you need and deserve after this violent accident.  We have successfully represented victims of trucking and commercial vehicle accidents.  Meet with our legal team, let us review your case, prepare for a potential trial and push for the cash settlement necessary to cover medical expenses, pain, suffering and other losses.  If necessary, we will take your case all the way to trial.  Though few cases are actually decided in a court of law, this option is always available.  Most clients prefer to settle out of court as this route is less risky and less stressful than pursuing justice in a court of law.

The bottom line is trucking cases are highly complex.  Do not assume it is impossible to obtain compensation just because the trucking company has highly-paid corporate attorneys on their side.  Our legal team has gone toe-to-toe with trucking companies’ opposing counsel, prevailed with justice and helped our clients return their life to a semblance of normalcy.

The Danger of Tractor Trailers

A tractor trailer operator who operates such a large vehicle in a negligent manner is a dangerous hazard to everyone on the road.  An accident with a vehicle of this size has the potential to lead to significant injury or death.  The heightened danger posed by these trucks is attributable to a number of factors ranging from the weight of the load carried to the truck’s size, insufficient braking ability and beyond.  Tractor trailers typically weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds.  This weight is about 16 times that of the average vehicle.  Even a collision with a semi-truck at a low rate of speed can lead to death.

The semi-truck’s braking ability is of the utmost importance.  Vehicles of this size are carrying massive loads at high rates of speed.  If the truck cannot stop within 350 feet when traveling at a rate of 60 miles per hour, everyone in the vicinity of the vehicle is in danger.  The truck’s load is also important.  A commercial truck filled to the brim will prove challenging to maneuver, especially when rain, snow, sleet and hail are in the mix.  Certain commercial trucks carry dangerous cargo such as explosive material, flammable material or other dangerous items.  If you are hit by a truck carrying such dangerous cargo, you and your vehicle might end up on fire or worse, even if both vehicles were traveling at a low rate of speed.

Safety Tips for Those Operating Motor Vehicles

Drivers should drive differently when in the vicinity of a semi-truck.  Leave even more space between the truck ahead of you and your vehicle than you would for a regular car.  If you decide to pass a truck, do so quickly yet carefully.  Do not travel close behind a truck or in its blind spots.  By hyper-aware when around trucks.  Look for turn signals, tire movement indicating a change of direction and entrance ramps that require a reduction in speed.  Be especially careful when traveling at night or in inclement weather so the truck driver has ample space to change lanes, come to a stop, make turns and execute other maneuvers on the road.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents

What should I do if I am involved in a truck accident?

Seek medical attention before anything else.  If you are capable of thinking clearly and using your hands, use your smartphone or pen and paper to document every aspect of the accident.  Note the day and time, road conditions, traffic level, your speed at the time of the accident, the weather conditions and other subtleties.  Take pictures of the accident scene.  Record witness testimony with your smartphone.  Be sure to ask witnesses to state their name and telephone number for posterity’s sake.  The data you collect after your truck accident just might make the difference between a successful lawsuit and one that fizzles out with a small settlement out of court.

Medical records are of the utmost importance after your truck accident.  Meet with a doctor as soon as possible even if pain does not immediately manifest after the accident.  If you are injured in any way, it must be documented by a legitimate medical professional or it will be difficult to prove a causal relationship between the accident and your injuries.  If this causal relationship cannot be established, it will be that much more challenging to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Contact the police to formally document the accident.  The police officer will look for clues such as skid markings, impact points and other signs that indicate fault for the accident.  The police officer will also kick-start an investigation to analyze the truck driver’s logbooks, driving history, vehicle maintenance records and so on.

Should I contact my auto insurance company after an accident with a tractor trailer?

Yes.  However, you should also consult with our legal team as well.  Every truck accident victim should know direct negotiations with the trucking company or auto insurance representatives has the potential to complicate this matter if a claim is filed against the trucking business.  Ideally, we will handle all discussions with the insurance company and opposing counsel to ensure you do not say something that could jeopardize your chance to obtain compensation.  This is a time to focus on your health rather than negotiations with well-trained professionals looking to minimize your payout.  Let us do the talking while you rebuild your body and mind.

Are truckers and trucking companies subjected to any unique regulations?

State and federal regulations govern truck drivers and trucking businesses.  If either party fails to adhere to these regulations and an accident occurs, there is the potential for the court to determine the trucker and the trucking business were reckless or negligent.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commonly referred to as the FMCSA, is applicable to interstate traffic.  Furthermore, each individual state has unique regulations that govern commercial vehicles.  If even one of these regulations was violated, there is an opportunity to file a lawsuit and obtain significant compensation.

At what point should I reach out to a semi-truck accident attorney?

You are likely flustered, anxious and angry after your truck accident.  This is not a time to be self-reliant.  Reach out to our truck accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident.  We will help move your case along while you recuperate.  Our legal team will gather evidence, communicate with the insurance company and push for the compensation necessary to make you whole again.  As an example, many modern semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles have cameras and/or black boxes similar to those used in airplanes.  If the truck that hit you has such documentation of the accident scene, we will retrieve it to prove you had no part in causing the accident.

We understand you are emotionally and physically drained after this unfortunate event.  Do not put even more stress on yourself by attempting to negotiate with the insurance company.  Even the slightest verbal misstep during settlement negotiations can sabotage your case.  You need an accomplished attorney in your corner.  However, it is a mistake to hire the first truck accident attorney you find after conducting a Google search.  The majority of law firms are willing to provide an initial no-cost consultation yet no two truck accident attorneys have the same experience level, talent or work ethic.

Our attorneys have years of experience working with insurance companies, securing lucrative payouts and helping clients bounce back from these incredibly violent accidents.  Our aim is to maximize your payout so all related costs, including those that arise in the future are accounted for.  Even if you think the accident might be partially your fault, there is no reason to admit fault or pretend as though nothing happened.  If the truck driver or his or her employer are even partially responsible for the accident, our legal team will zealously represent you in and out of court to ensure you are provided with the compensation necessary to account for medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity and other related losses.