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There have been roughly 168,000 truck accidents in the United States each year, and many of these accidents involve serious injuries and can even result in death. The number of truck accidents has steadily increased; there is a greater demand for cargo shipment, and truck drivers have less experience. They need to be practically perfect behind the wheel, as there is little margin for error when driving a vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Unfortunately, some truck drivers are careless or reckless. Even when they do their best to be safe, trucking companies can cause accidents when they cut corners.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a truck accident, you may have the legal right to financial compensation. You must prove that the truck driver or the trucking company was negligent before you qualify for a settlement check or jury award. Truck accident lawsuits are challenging cases that unfold over a lengthy period.
You should schedule a free initial consultation with a Seattle truck accident attorney to discuss your case. A truck accident lawyer will explain your legal options and help you pursue financial compensation for your injuries. They have the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you obtain your deserved compensation and can level the playing field against trucking and insurance companies.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Although trucking has become a far more dangerous industry in recent years, trucking companies are highly profitable because of the high demand for their services. The rise in online shopping means that companies must transport more goods nationwide. As a result, trucking companies are scrambling to hire drivers for the jobs. However, there is no ready supply of truck drivers, as the industry has been experiencing a shortage. Trucking companies do not want to pay seasoned drivers’ earnings, so they hire less experienced drivers and put them on the road in a hurry. Inexperienced truck drivers are more prone to making mistakes that can lead to serious accidents.
In addition, trucking companies are under pressure from their customers to make timely deliveries. Then, there is pressure for the individual truck drivers to remain on schedule. At the same time, truck drivers have limits on the number of hours that the company allows them to drive before they need to stop and rest. Trucking companies may pressure their drivers to make up time as best as they can when on the road, which can result in drivers speeding or cutting other corners.
Truck drivers may also not pay as much attention to the road as they should. They are behind the wheel for long stretches and may not want to take a break to do things like eat. Thus, they may avoid pulling off the road to send or read a text. Truck drivers need their eyes on the road at all times because they must react to potential challenges quickly. Distracted driving raises the risk of an accident and makes crashes far more serious.
Trucking companies also do not want to take trucks off the road if they can avoid it; a shortage of trucks can lead to them being unable to fill customer requests. They will often cut corners on inspections and maintenance because they may result in higher repair costs and taking trucks out of service. Truck drivers may have to use dangerous trucks to operate, and even their best efforts behind the wheel may not be enough to prevent an accident.
In the meantime, here are the types of truck accidents that can cause serious injury to you or a loved one.
Common Types of Truck Accident:
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife truck accident occurs when the vehicle’s cab swings out to the side, and the cab and trailer end up at a 90-degree angle. The danger is that the trailer swinging out can strike other cars in the way or cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles when trying to avoid it.
The following can cause jackknife truck accidents:
- A sudden and improper braking move
- Over or understeering the truck
- Traveling at a rate of speed that is unreasonable for the circumstances
- Improper maintenance and inspection of the truck
- Driver inattention to the road
Jackknife truck accidents account for roughly five percent of crashes, and they are the cause of nearly five percent of truck accident fatalities.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident occurs when a tractor-trailer rolls over onto its side. These crashes are dangerous because the truck can strike a car when it is rolling over, or it can end up in the path of an oncoming vehicle. The cargo can spill out onto the roadway in a rollover crash, making it difficult for cars to avoid debris on the street.
The following can cause rollover crashes:
- Improper cargo loading, shifting the center of gravity on the truck
- The driver does not slow down as the truck approaches a curve
- Over or understeering
- Improper maintenance of the truck, resulting in faulty steering
- Trying to make a quick stop when the truck driver has been speeding
One estimate states that rollover accidents comprise roughly nine percent of truck crashes and cause four percent of fatalities in commercial vehicle crashes.
Rear-End Accidents
A truck is an extremely heavy vehicle that is not easy to bring to a complete stop. When a truck travels 55 miles per hour, it can take a tenth of a mile for the driver to stop. However, trucks do not have that much space between them and a passenger vehicle in front of them. Truck drivers may not allow for enough following distance, traveling perilously close to the car in front. The driver may also experience distractions and not have their eyes on the road. Either way, the truck driver cannot stop in time to avoid a rear-end car accident. Whiplash is the most common type of injury from these crashes, although the amount of force unleashed can result in far more significant harm.
Underride Accidents
Although any type of truck accident can be hazardous, an extra level of danger comes with an underride crash. Here, a car can run into the back of the truck and end up under the vehicle. The truck may also end up over the car when the operator is making a turn. Trucks are required to have rear underride guards, although they do not always work. There are also no regulations that mandate side underride guards on trucks. Underride accidents are hazardous and often deadly because they can shear off the top of the car entirely. The accident victim can suffer severe or fatal head or neck injuries.
Sideswipe Accidents
Trucks have far more blindspots than passenger cars because of blocked vision on both sides of the vehicle. The driver must rely on their mirrors and any automated safety system before turning or attempting to change lanes. However, the truck driver cannot always see out of their blindspots. Sideswipe accidents are dangerous because the truck can force a passenger car out of its lane or drive it off the road. In a worst-case scenario, the passenger vehicle can end up under the truck in an underride accident.
Head-On Truck Accidents
Head-on truck crashes are extremely dangerous because of the amount of force unleashed in them. There is very little chance that a passenger car driver will emerge from the accident without a serious injury, and these crashes are often fatal. Driver inattention can cause head-on truck accidents, where the driver may veer out of their lane on a two-lane highway. In other instances, they end up in the wrong place because they missed a sign due to distracted driving.
Tire Blowouts
A tractor-trailer has 18 wheels, and each one of them is vital to the safe operation of the truck. However, the trucking company may try to get as many miles as possible out of each tire because they are expensive to replace. Tire blowouts are dangerous because they occur suddenly, and the truck driver has no warning of a critical problem. The truck driver may lose control of the vehicle entirely, and even the most experienced truck drivers may struggle to safely pull their vehicle off to the side of the road when they encounter a tire blowout.
You May Have the Legal Right to Compensation for Your Truck Accident Injuries
You have the legal right to a settlement check or monetary award when you prove someone else was to blame for the truck accident. You will likely file a personal injury lawsuit against the trucking company. Trucking companies are legally responsible for the actions of their employees under the respondeat superior doctrine. So long as the truck driver acted within the scope of their employment, their employer must pay for the harm they caused. Then, you have access to deeper pockets, which can fully pay for your truck accident injuries.
You must prove negligence to win your truck accident case, meaning that someone did something unreasonable under the circumstances. You have an affirmative burden of proof to demonstrate your case by a preponderance of the evidence. Your truck accident lawyer will work to gather physical evidence to prove your case. They will collect the proof available after the accident and obtain further evidence in the trucking company’s hands during the lawsuit process. You may uncover damaging evidence that the trucking company consciously disregarded its safety obligations.
You have two options for obtaining compensation in your truck accident case. You can file a claim against the trucking company’s insurance policy. Federal trucking regulations require trucking companies to carry a minimum of $750,000 in insurance coverage (although many have more extensive policies). You can also file a lawsuit against the trucking company in court.
Regardless of how you choose to pursue compensation, a settlement is often the most likely outcome in your case. However, if necessary, your truck accident attorney must prepare to litigate your case.
When to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer for Your Case
You should contact a truck accident attorney after you have suffered an injury as soon as possible. Your truck accident lawyer will gather all the physical evidence to help your case before it is lost to you permanently. They also will direct the trucking company to preserve all of the relevant evidence in their possession before potential litigation.
It can take considerable time to resolve your truck accident lawsuit. Since truck accident cases may involve more money, insurance companies may take longer to get to a point where they will settle a case. The sooner you hire a truck accident attorney, the quicker you can file a claim or lawsuit seeking compensation.
One of the biggest concerns people have after an accident is the cost of hiring an attorney. Fortunately, when it comes to truck accident cases, you do not have to worry about that. Most truck accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if they win your case. This arrangement means you can hire a skilled and experienced attorney without paying anything out of pocket.
Working on a contingency fee basis gives truck accident attorneys an extra incentive to fight for you. They only get paid if they recover compensation for you, so you can trust that they will do everything possible to maximize your settlement. They will investigate your case, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, take your case to court. They aim to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
In addition to not having to pay anything upfront, hiring a truck accident attorney can also help alleviate some of your stress. Knowing that you have a dedicated advocate fighting for your rights can give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on your recovery. Your attorney will handle all the legal aspects of your case, provide guidance and support, and share critical information with you every step of the way.
A Truck Accident Attorney is Standing By
Hiring an attorney is essential for any truck accident case. With their experience and dedication, they will fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing. Do not hesitate to contact a personal injury lawyer today so they can protect your rights.
