Tractor-trailers have obvious differences in size and weight when compared to passenger cars, and these differences contribute to the severity of harm inflicted upon those who have the misfortune of being in a tractor-trailer accident.
It’s incredibly rare to be in an accident with a tractor-trailer and only suffer minor injuries. Traumatic brain injury, paralysis and decapitation are just some of the extreme injuries typical in a tractor-trailer accident. Clearly, these are not the kinds of injuries you can walk away from.
When negligence on the part of a tractor-trailer operator or owner causes an accident with another vehicle, the results are often devastating. Those injured in a truck accident or suffering the loss of a family member due to an accident that was not their fault deserve compensation for the associated physical, financial and emotional burdens.
What Makes Accidents With Tractor Trailers So Dangerous?
Negligently operated tractor-trailers can cause horrendous accidents by blocking roadways, causing mayhem, injury or death. The increased dangers of tractor trailers are due to several factors, including:
How long is a tractor trailer?
How much does a tractor trailer tire weight?
- Poor Braking Ability
The average tractor-trailer needs approximately 350 feet to come to a stop from traveling at 60 miles per hour. This is more than the length of a football field.
- Lack of Maneuverability
Truckers have a harder time avoiding hazards on the road such as accidents, debris and out-of-control vehicles because a semi-truck needs more time and space to alter its course.
- Carrying Dangerous, or Hazardous Cargo
Many commercial trucks on the road transport flammable, explosive or otherwise hazardous cargo, which can turn a minor accident into a tragic event.
- Common Tractor-Trailer Accidents
It’s been a long day at work and Jane is finally on her way home, traveling familiar paths through the poorly lit roads. She turns onto a new street when suddenly there’s a barely visible tractor-trailer less than 100 yards away. Jane slams on her brakes, but there isn’t enough time to stop and the car collides with the side of the trailer. This is just one of the many ways a tractor-trailer accident might occur.
While the specifics of each tractor-trailer accident is different, crashes involving big trucks can generally be separated into six categories:
- Shifting Cargo
An improperly loaded or overloaded trailer can cause the truck to jackknife or overturn.
- Improper Maneuvers
A truck driver who fails to maintain his driving lane or stop at a stop sign may cause a terrible accident.
- Rear-end Collisions
Because large trucks need more time to stop, a slowed or suddenly stalled passenger cars are frequently rear-ended by the larger vehicle.
- Stopped Trucks
Any time a tractor-trailer is stopped on the side of the road is potential for a collision with a passenger car.
- Underride
These typically occur because the driver of the passenger car does not see the trailer in time to stop.
- Left Turns
If the truck is not given ample time complete the turn, an impatient passenger car could collide with the vehicle.
Tractor Trailer Accident Settlements
People who are hurt in an accident with a truck can and should demand accountability from the trucking company if the company and/or its driver is at fault for the collision. This is typically done by hiring an attorney who will build a case and file a lawsuit against the company. Many cases never see the inside of a courtroom because a settlement is reached between your attorney and the trucking company.
Why do you need an attorney? Because the truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to different laws than those of us in passenger cars. The injuries sustained in collisions with these colossal vehicles can have total lifetime costs that are well beyond what the average insurance policy pays out.
A qualified trucking attorney will make sure the accident scene gets promptly investigated to gather evidence and will bring in an expert to analyze the accident. Be patient. Building a case takes time, and so does negotiating the best outcome for you.
An attorney familiar with trucking laws and personal injury cases can also seek compensation for your suffering and hardships. The Truck Accident Attorneys routinely secure settlement of several million dollars or more – sometimes several in the same week.
Tractor-Trailer Accident Statistics
During 2019, 4,311 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes.
In the United States the number of tractor trailers involved in fatal crashes increased from 3,749 to 4,050 between 2014 to 2015.
In Georgia, 182 people died in 2015 as a result of a crash involving a large truck.
Tractor trailer accident law firm
Read more:
https://www.pittmandutton.com/class-action-lawsuits/vivint-security/
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