According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 104,000 truck accidents with injuries in 2012. Of those injured, the majority (73%) were occupants of standard passenger cars like sedans, lightweight pickup trucks, and SUVs.
The difference in the number of injuries received by occupants of cars compared to commercial trucks is largely due to the size and weight variance between the two. For example, a semitrailer is at least 48 feet long while most passenger vehicles are less than half that length. Plus, when fully loaded, a semi-truck can way upwards of 20 times that of most cars.
As a result, even seemingly minor accidents between the two can result in catastrophic injuries like:
- Broken bones
- Neck and head injuries
- Concussions
- Loss of limb
The costs of these injuries can quickly reach tens of thousands of dollars. For those unable to work, the financial burdens of lost wages combined with medical expenses can be absolutely devastating.
If you were injured in a truck accident, there may be options available to help you receive the financial relief you need. To explore these options, it is helpful to contact a personal injury attorney. He or she will advise you of your rights as an accident victim and help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Determining Fault After a Truck Accident
If you decide to file a personal injury claim after your truck accident, you will have to prove fault in order to receive compensation. Proving fault in a personal injury claim comes down to whether or not the truck driver or their company was in some way negligent.
If the truck driver did not use reasonable caution to prevent an accident, you may be able to successfully prove negligence caused your injuries. Common examples of negligent actions in truck accidents include:
- Driving under the influence
- Driving too quickly
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while fatigued
Commercial truck drivers must follow federal safety regulations. One of these safety rules is taking required rest periods after a certain number of hours behind the wheel. This is meant to prevent truckers from driving when overly tired.
If a truck driver fails to take the required rest periods and they end up causing an accident, the truck driver may be found negligent for driving while fatigued.
Get the Help You Need After a Truck Accident
After you’ve been involved in a truck accident, there are a number of steps you can take to recover compensation. To help you navigate the complex claims process, contact a personal injury attorney.
A personal injury attorney familiar with truck accidents can help you collect the evidence you’ll need to prove negligence in your case. He or she can then build an effective case that holds the truck driver at fault and affords you the opportunity to recover the compensation you’ll need to begin rebuilding after a truck accident.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against CRST International, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
