Truck Accidents
Trucking accidents and tractor trailer accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and are often the most dangerous road accidents. Persons in automobiles involved in an accident with big rigs, 18-wheelers, or even smaller trucks often suffer grave personal injury. In many cases, the accidents are fatal.
Fatal truck accidents are all too common, happening nearly 11 times every single day in this country on average, and killing nearly 4,000 people each year, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
On top of that, more than 100,000 people are injured every year in truck crashes. Truck fatalities have increased since 2009, as an improving economy leads to more goods being shipped on American highways and more pressure being placed on trucking companies, and drivers, to get the loads delivered on time.
Generally, commercial trucks can range from 10,000 pounds (a smaller delivery van) to 80,000 pounds (18-wheel semi truck with full trailers). The vast size and weight of 18-wheelers make the vehicle much harder to stop and more difficult to maneuver, even more so when the weather conditions are poor. It is no surprise that truck drivers and truck companies are bound by strict federal and state regulations.
There are many different kinds of truck accidents that occur on our roads and highways. While some of these are due to factors beyond our control, such as infrastructure issues, inclement weather or even attempting to avoid an accident; many are caused by driver error. Truck accidents can occur due to aggressive driving, negligence, speeding, truck driver fatigue or falling asleep behind the wheel, substance abuse, as well as the failure to maintain the truck and properly secure cargo loads.
Common types of injuries sustained in truck accidents include the following:
- Whiplash
- Head injury or traumatic brain injury
- Burns and scarring
- Joint, muscle, back, neck, and bone injuries
- Wrongful death
- Knee damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Paralysis, including quadriplegia
- Permanent disability
If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident, you may have sustained tremendous losses. You may have sustained medical costs of five or six figures to date, with more to come. The collision may have caused you to miss work for an extended period of time, or may have forced you to quit your job altogether. The truck accident attorneys at SL Chapman understand that your life may have been permanently altered as a result of someone else’s wrongdoing.
Trucks can be classified into three different categories, small, medium, and large commercial trucks which may also be referred to as heavy trucks. All these types of trucks can have a variety of uses, while some may be used for personal use others could be used by the military or for the transport of goods. Some of the most common types of trucks include:
- Pick-up trucks
- Tow trucks
- Semi-trailers
- Box trucks
- Recreational vehicles
- Dump trucks
- Buses
- Garbage trucks
- Log carriers
- Harvesters
- Fire Trucks
There are many different causes of truck accidents including:
- Inexperienced driver
- Speeding
- Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
- Tailgating
- Fatigued driving
- Defective equipment
- Improper cargo loading/cargo shift
- Distracted driving
At SL Chapman Law, we believe that you deserve both compassion and compensation for your truck accident injuries. Our truck accident attorneys offer a no-obligation consultation to victims. We can guide you on the best course of legal action, and we will always fight for the maximum amount of compensation. SL Chapman lawyers have obtained over $700 million dollars in verdicts, settlements and other benefits on behalf of our clients. Contact us today at 800-550-2106 for your free initial legal consultation.
