Every year, approximately 500,000 accidents involving large commercial trucks take place in the United States. Due to their massive size and heavy loads, these trucks can cause serious injury to pedestrians and other vehicles. In fact, one in eight traffic fatalities involves a large trailer, and 5,000 trucking deaths occur each year. Of the victims that survive, many suffer permanent damage or are hurt seriously enough to require hospitalization. The majority of the time, the injured party is a pedestrian or the driver of a smaller vehicle, with the driver of the truck remaining unharmed. Truck accident attorneys can ensure that these people receive the compensation they deserve.
CAUSES OF TRUCKING ACCIDENTS
Most trucking accidents are caused by negligence of some kind. It could be the truck driver’s failure to properly examine his vehicle, or it could be reckless driving, speeding or a lack of compensation for hazardous road conditions. In some cases, the truck driver overloads his truck or doesn't make allowances for its size, and in other cases, he is simply not paying attention. Drugs, alcohol and disobedience of traffic rules can also result in trucking accidents. The most common cause of truck collisions by far, however, is truck driver fatigue. This is usually caused by truck operators who drive for too long or fail to get seven to eight hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THE TRUCKING COMPANY
In some cases, it is the trucking company that is responsible for the accident rather than the trucker himself. The company may not have been performing regular inspections on their vehicles, resulting in problems such as tire blowouts and brake failure. Some businesses don't train their truck drivers adequately, and that can leave the drivers unprepared for the conditions they might face. Other times, company policy is to blame; hectic schedules and unreasonable compensation practices can lead drivers to speed or to push themselves to exhaustion, increasing the likelihood of collisions. Finally, an unscrupulous trucking company may hire drivers who aren't licensed to operate large vehicles.WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A TRUCKING ACCIDENT
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident caused by negligence, you are entitled to compensation. However, it is important for you to act quickly. The trucking company's insurance agency will begin to investigate the accident immediately. Call emergency services right away, and remain at the scene of the accident until they tell you that you can leave. If you are capable, take pictures of the road, your vehicle and all other vehicles involved. In addition, document weather conditions and road signs, and ask any witnesses for their contact information.
As soon as you are able, contact an attorney experienced in this type of personal injury case. The laws can be complex in trucking cases, and truck accident attorneys can help you navigate the confusing legal paths and ensure that your rights are not violated. Never talk to the trucking company's insurance agency without your lawyer present; no matter how nice they may seem, they are not on your side and may use your statements against you in a legal battle. Instead, allow your attorney to communicate with them in your place.
Above all else, do not neglect your health. Make sure to get immediate medical attention, no matter how minor your injuries may seem. Talk to a doctor about any pain or discomfort you are experiencing, even if you don't notice it until days or weeks after the accident, and keep a record of all medical costs you incur. This is another area where the services of truck accident attorneys can be invaluable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident contact our offices today to speak with a trucking accident attorney..
Truck Accident News
Bicyclist Fatally Hit By Delivery Truck In Brooklyn In Rush Hour Accident
A 29-year-old bicyclist was fatally hit by a delivery truck in East Williamsburg Monday morning, police and witnesses said.
The male cyclist was struck around 8:30 a.m. when he tried to squeeze by a truck driver making a right off of Metroplitan Ave. onto Gardner Ave., witnesses and police said. The truck's front bumper clipped the bike and the cyclist tumbled under the vehicle and was killed instantly, witnesses said.
Witnesses said the driver didn't realize he'd hit the bicyclist. He was flagged down a half block away by the driver of another delivery truck.
"I stopped the guy," said the driver of the other truck, who declined to give his name. "I said, 'You hit the guy.' He said, 'What guy?' He looked in the mirror and said, 'Oh my God.'"
Police reviewed video of the accident that security cameras at a nearby business caught. The truck driver, who remained at the scene, would not be charged, police sources said.
"The bicyclist was at fault," a police source said. "He should have seen the driver was about to turn. The bicyclist tried to rush by and you can't do that. The driver had to be going about 5 m.p.h."
The bicyclist was wearing a helmet but it wasn't enough to protect him from the weight of the truck, police said.
"The bike was flying along and tried to cheat around the truck," said a witness who declined to give his name. "His skull was crushed."
Police placed a sheet over the bicyclist's body, which lay in the middle of Gardner Ave. The sheets quickly became soaked with blood.
The driver was later taken to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for a panic attack and elevated blood pressure from shock, police said.
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