All You Need to Know About Road Trucking Accidents - AllCarIndex
There are tens of thousands of traffic accidents every year on American roads, and an increasing number of them involve trucks. Because of their sheer size and power, being involved in an accident with a truck can have extremely serious consequences. Following an accident, it can be very difficult to clear your head and know what you are supposed to do.
To help explain the dangers of an incident involving a truck, and to help anyone who has unfortunately experienced one, here is all you need to know about road trucking accidents.
What You Need To Do If You Are Involved In An Accident With A Truck
The first thing you need to do if you are involved in an accident with a truck is to seek immediate medical attention. This is vital after any type of accident, but as truck crashes are so dangerous, it is particularly imperative following a trucking accident. Injuries can often be initially masked from your awareness due to shock, so while you may at first think you are unhurt, once the adrenaline has worn off, you may find that you have sustained some serious injuries.
The early you receive treatment, the better your chances of making a full recovery from your injuries. Immediate medical attention is also very important because you will need the resulting medical reports to use as evidence in any compensation claim you ultimately make against the truck driver. In many states, you only have a limited amount of time to obtain these medical reports and then be admissible as evidence, so always get checked out straight away.
After that, it is vital that you speak to an experienced truck accident lawyer to advise you on the best course of action to take in terms of building and presenting a lawsuit against the responsible party. Specialized attorneys will know the best way to ensure that you get all the compensation you deserve to rebuild your life and pay for your injuries and vehicle damage resulting from a truck accident. Big trucking companies and their insurance providers will do everything in their power to minimize this compensation. Hence, a skilled attorney is an invaluable ally in protecting your rights and securing the settlement you are entitled to.
The Important Facts
There are almost half a million accidents every year in the US, which involve trucks. While road accident numbers have been decreasing for the last three years, the number of truck accidents increases year on year. There are more fatalities from accidents involving trucks than any other type of incident. In 2019, there were almost 5,000 deaths which, when you consider this number was just over 3,000 fatalities, it shows the rapidly growing problem. In truck-related accidents, more than 90% of the fatalities occur to passengers of the other vehicle, not the truck driver themselves.
Why Trucking Accidents Are Particularly Dangerous
The main reason why accidents involving trucks are so dangerous is that trucks are just so big. Modern cars are so well-designed that often a relatively low-speed accident involving two cars will only lead to some vehicle damage and perhaps some minor injuries like whiplash. However, even a low-speed crash with a truck has enormous potential for serious injury and death because trucks weigh so much more than cars. In fact, any accident which involves a tractor-trailer truck (which weighs more than 25,000 pounds) has a 6% fatality rate.
How Truck Drivers Can Reduce the Risk
Despite common misconceptions, it is not reckless driving or driving under the influence, which is the main factor in trucking accidents. The leading causes of trucking accidents are tiredness, driving unfamiliar routes, and mechanical issues with the truck. There are various steps that truck drivers should take To reduce the risks of causing an accident. First of all, it is vital that truck drivers are well rested before making a long journey and that they take regular rest and refreshment breaks. Even a moment's inattention or carelessness can be fatal as trucks are just so big and powerful. Trucking companies and their drivers should also ensure that the drivers are familiar with the route and that their vehicle is safe to drive.
Any traffic accident can cause serious injury and damage, and in the worst cases, even death. Trucks are so big and powerful that any accident involving one can be many times more dangerous than a similar incident with a car or smaller vehicle. All road users must take extra precautions around trucks, and that truck drivers play their part too by driving extra carefully. If you have been involved in a truck accident, seek immediate medical attention and legal assistance to protect your health and rights.