Due to the sheer size, weight and speed of “big rig” trucks, even relatively “minor” accidents can cause serious property damage, catastrophic injuries, and sometimes death. Because of the extreme difference between trucks and other vehicles on the roads, it comes as no surprise that most of the deaths and serious injuries that occur in collisions with large trucks are occupants of passenger vehicles. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that in a recent year, only 16 percent of deaths involving large truck collisions were the truck driver’s themselves, while 84 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and occupants of smaller vehicles.
Factors increasing the risk to the motoring public include the height, weight, braking distance and driver fatigue inherent in the trucking industry. Often times, trucks weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger cars and have a much higher ground clearance resulting in smaller vehicles “under-riding” trucks in rear end crashes. Trucks can take 20 to 40 percent farther to stop than cars, and braking capability can often be greater in poor driving conditions. Finally, as a result of the long hours required of truck drivers, driver fatigue can also contribute to accidents as surveys indicate that many drivers often violate regulations regarding sustained driving time limits.
State and federal laws and regulations are in place to monitor the trucking industry and to keep the motoring public safe when sharing the road with “big rig” trucks. These regulations include but are not limited to:
- driver training, operation and licensing;
- truck maintenance;
- weight, height and length restrictions;
- cargo restrictions and security;
- roadside safety precautions and requirements;
- rear under-ride prevention; and
- standards of care by the trucking industry.
Understanding and finding violations of these laws and regulations requires an attorney experienced in truck accident litigation. Oftentimes, following an accident, truck operators and owners will seek to cover up violations in an effort to avoid or limit liability to injured persons, as well as disciplinary action from federal and state authorities. It is crucial to investigate, discover and preserve critical information and data immediately following an accident.
At Nelson Personal Injury, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to pursue these claims to ensure that victims are adequately compensated for their injuries. Important evidence and time restrictions require that you act promptly.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a semi-truck accident or other large truck accident, in Oasakis you may also have the right to recover certain benefits from your own insurance company (called a no-fault claim) as well as damages from the insurance company of semi-truck or other truck which was at fault for causing the accident (called a personal injury claim).
When you choose to work with us on your truck accident claim, you can be confident that your case is being handled by a competent, experienced and compassionate professional. Unlike some attorneys, we devote our entire practice to representing individuals who have been injured due to the negligence of another. For more than 30 years, our attorneys have been fighting for the rights of our clients. We have taken on the large insurance companies and have recovered millions of dollars in compensationfor accident victims. Beyond that, we strive to provide truck accident victims with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they have an experienced truck accident attorney on their side.
We know that you will have many questions about your rights and the claim process, and we always take the time to explain the process and your rights to you. Complete the form below, or call us today to see how we can help you. All consultations with our experienced accident attorneys are free and there is no obligation.