Truck Accidents – Semis and Tractor-Trailers |
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How do large truck accidents occur?Also known as semis, big rigs, tractor-trailers, or eighteen-wheelers, large trucks are vehicles weighing greater than 10,000 pounds that are designed to haul cargo. These vehicular behemoths, which are used to transport all manner of goods around the country, can be intimidating on the road. While new regulations have been enacted in recent years to improve trucking safety, large trucks still account for a disproportionate percentage of fatal crashes. This is because large trucks are difficult to control, are so much bigger than other vehicles, and because truck drivers may push themselves too hard. Because they are so massive and unwieldy, large trucks are extremely difficult to maneuver. A number of things can go wrong if a large truck needs to brake suddenly to avoid an accident. If the steering axle brakes lock up, the rig will continue to move forward, regardless of wheel angle. If the drive axle brakes are locked, the rig can jackknife. If the trailer axle brakes lock up, the trailer will swing out to the side. Any one of these scenarios can result in disastrous consequences for the truck or anything in its path. Also, since large trucks typically have a high center of gravity, they can roll over much more easily than most other vehicles. The danger of rollover increases with a shifting load or a partially full tanker. Large trucks can also be “tripped” by going off the road, hitting a curb, or turning on a slope. In addition, truckers also have to be careful when descending steep declines over long stretches, as their brakes can overheat and fail. Finally, despite new rules limiting the speed at which truckers can travel and the number of continuous hours they can stay on the road, some drivers may still push themselves beyond what is safe. Many large truck drivers are paid by the mile, so they want to drive as far as possible each day. Drivers may even have deadlines imposed on them by employers. Unfortunately, every year exhausted truckers fall asleep at the wheel and cause catastrophic accidents. What should you do if you have been in a trucking accident?First of all, it is important to understand that a trucking accident is not just a big car accident. Trucking companies are in business to make money, and an insurance claim or lawsuit could result in a substantial financial loss if their driver is found to be at fault. If the circumstances involve overloading, speeding, or any other violation of federal trucking regulations, trucking companies can be sued for negligence. Most trucking companies have experience with large truck accidents, and they know what to do to deflect liability for a crash. An investigative team will typically be sent within hours of an accident to collect evidence, speak to witnesses and police, and make sure records are in order. The law requires that trucking companies keep written records of each driver’s log for six months, but other records such as scale tickets, inspection reports, and fuel logs are not covered by federal regulations. For these reasons, it is critical that you hire an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible following an accident. A large truck accident lawyer will collect the necessary physical evidence, review the driver’s records, and gather statements from witnesses and medical personnel. Trucking accident lawyers also have experience negotiating with trucking insurance carriers and taking large truck accident cases to trial if necessary. Keep these tips in mind following a trucking accident:
Truck accident statisticsOn average, someone in the U.S. is injured or killed in a large truck-related accident every five minutes. In 2002, approximately 434,000 large trucks were involved in accidents in the United States. A total of 4,897 people died in 4,542 fatal crashes, while 130,000 people were injured in large truck accidents overall. While large trucks only made up 3% of all registered vehicles in 2001, they drove 7% of all vehicle miles and were involved in 12% of all fatal crashes. In those fatal crashes, only about 14% of those killed and 23% of those injured were occupants of large trucks. In essence, despite comprising a relatively low percentage of total vehicles, large trucks are on the road more often and are involved in a disproportionately large number of accidents, particularly crashes in which people die. Of those killed or injured in trucking accidents, relatively few are the occupants of the large trucks themselves. Truck accidents and crashworthiness issuesTrucking accidents can have catastrophic consequences for those involved, especially for those not in the large truck. As mentioned above, it is prudent to seek the counsel of a trucking attorney, as they are best equipped to handle your case and obtain compensation on your behalf. You may also have a crashworthiness case if you sustained injuries caused by inadequate safety features of your vehicle. Find a Crashworthiness Lawyer in Any State: |
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