An 18-wheeler hauling a full load can weigh up to 25 times more than a standard passenger vehicle. This large difference in size and weight between large commercial trucks and automobiles can cause excessive property damage and severe injuries if the two collide.
Unfortunately, the passenger vehicle is usually the one that sustains the most damage in these accidents. Even impacts at low speeds can result in catastrophic injuries to a car’s occupants. Truck accident injuries can cause a lifetime of pain and require ongoing medical treatment. The costs associated with continuing care can cause financial hardships for individuals injured in a truck accident.
If you’ve been the victim of a truck accident, there are options available to help you get financial relief. One of the most effective ways to receive compensation after a truck accident is to file a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim makes it possible for you to collect money for expenses like medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
Usually, the best way to handle a personal injury claim is to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney. His or her expertise in this complicated area of the law gives you the help you’ll need to navigate complex personal injury claims.
With a large fleet of temperature-controlled trucks, their drivers often haul perishable items including:
- Meat
- Produce
- Dairy
- Refrigerated foods
Many trucks are equipped to carry hazardous materials such as:
- Chemicals
- Liquids/Gases
- Garbage/Refuse
How is Fault Determined in a Truck Accident?
If you are injured in an accident, it is up to you to prove that the trucking company was at fault. Fault in a personal injury claim usually comes down to negligence.
To successfully prove the truck driver was negligent in your accident, you will have to show that:
- The truck driver owed it to you, as the injured party, to exercise reasonable care to prevent the accident that injured you
- The truck driver failed to do this
- This led to the accident that caused your injuries
Proving the first condition is easy to do because when a driver gets behind the wheel, he or she owes a duty of care to others in order to prevent accidents from happening. The other two elements of negligence are not always as easy to prove.
However, there are some common causes of truck accidents that, if they apply to your case, could prove that the trucking company is at fault:
- Sleep deprivation & driver fatigue
- Driving too quickly
- Inattentive or distracted driving
- Failure to properly maintain the truck
- Improperly secured cargo that separates from the truck
These are just some of the more common causes of truck accidents where the trucking company or its driver could be found at fault. To help you determine negligence in your accident, always consult an experienced personal injury attorney with firsthand knowledge of truck accident claims.
Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be difficult, especially if you were injured. The best way to protect your rights is to seek representation from a skilled personal injury attorney. His or her expertise handling complex truck accident cases will help you settle the claim get the compensation you are entitled to.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against C.R. England, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
