Semi-Truck Accidents Are Increasing with the Increase in Trucking Demand
Learn How a Qualified Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
Semi-truck accidents are one of, if not the most dangerous kind of car accident, and they are becoming more and more common due to the recent increase in demand for truckers. More large trucks are taking up space on our roadways, from major roads to rural areas. More truck drivers risk driver fatigue by working overtime to meet deadlines, resulting in more accidents. Truck accident statistics support that they are a common cause of fatal crashes. Fatal truck crashes resulted in 11% of all motor vehicle-related fatalities in 2018. The share of motor vehicle accidents involving commercial trucks has increased by 59% per mile since 2010. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently reported that there were approximately 120,000 fatal and injury crashes nationwide over a 33-month period that involved at least one large truck. This report noted that 87% of accidents were due to driver error, 10% were due to vehicle problems, and 3% had environmental variables contribute to them. The risk of serious injuries from trucking accidents often ranges from bad to worse. Though fatal truck accidents are the worst-case scenario in this kind of accident, less severe ones do occur and can still be devastating. Large truck crashes regularly cause serious injuries due to the size of trucks, their speed, and their power.
Figuring out what to do after an accident can be a difficult process, but any victims of truck accidents involving injury or damage to a personal vehicle should consult with a personal injury lawyer that has experience working with semi-truck accidents.
Cases Where a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
- You have been injured or experienced property damage in a semi-truck accident. In these cases, you should request a free consultation and case evaluation from an experienced attorney.
- A qualified lawyer is critical to success if you are taking your case to court. A lawyer with experience in personal injury cases can help you get fair compensation for your accident. Compensation may come from the trucking company, a truck driver, and/or their insurance companies which can be held liable for compensation as well.
- You are the driver of a passenger car involved in a big truck accident. In this situation, the truck company and their insurance may try to blame the driver of the smaller vehicle for the accident. An experienced lawyer can help prove liability and help you collect your claim by investigating the case thoroughly and bringing in qualified experts.
- You have been in a crash involving a truck with a gross weight of over 10,000 pounds. Any crash involving a truck that heavy is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reportable accident. The FMCSA is responsible for regulating safety in the trucking industry. Your lawyer can help you report the crash and report it to the proper authorities.
There are many more situations and ways that a truck accident lawyer can be helpful due to vehicle crashes involving large commercial vehicles. In addition, trucks and truck drivers are subject to Federal laws requiring certain data and information to be kept. An experienced attorney can work towards preserving critical data which may make or break your case.
If you were a victim of a truck collision and need legal help, contact us for a free consultation.