Large truck accidents are some of the worst of all vehicle crashes. Due to the weight and size of 18-wheelers, these accidents tend to cause more property damage and have a greater potential for injury.
18-wheeler accidents are unique not only in the damage they can cause, but also in the legal aspects of cases that result from these collisions. After all, truckers are professional drivers and they typically work for large trucking companies that are prepared to limit their liability in the aftermath of accidents involving their drivers. It is important to hire the services of an attorney who is familiar with these types of cases.
The attorneys at Ronald M. Scherban, P.C. have years of experience dealing with trucking companies to make sure that our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
Injuries in 18-Wheeler Accidents
When a large truck collides with a smaller vehicle, it is typically the occupants of the smaller vehicle that are injured. Some of the most severe injuries sustained in collisions with tractor-trailers include:
- Fractures
- Organ Damage
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Brain Injuries
- Burns
- Wrongful Death.
Truck Driver Error
- Speeding – Speeding means that a truck driver is travelling too fast for the conditions of the road. Many of these accidents occur in poor weather conditions, such as rain, ice and snow.
- Fatigued Driving – The demands of driving a truck for a living are greater than ever before, and many drivers are finding themselves overworked and fatigued.
- Distracted Driving – Just like any other subset of drivers, truckers can be distracted by mobile devices, car stereos, GPS devices or logging devices equipped in their trucks.
- Impaired Driving – While rates of intoxication behind the wheel are much lower for commercial motor vehicle drivers than for other types of drivers, impaired driving still exists even in the commercial truck driving industry.
What To Do After a Large Truck Accident
If you are involved in a collision with a large truck, the most important thing is to make sure that you and your occupants receive proper medical attention. You should also notify the police so they can respond to the scene. If you are able to do so, take pictures of the scene of the accident and ask witnesses for their contact information. Remember that truck drivers work for trucking companies who will sometimes deploy representatives to the scene of an accident to find ways to limit their liability. Do NOT speak with these representatives or sign anything they give to you. Instead, call your attorney so that you have your own representative.
