If you have been involved in an accident with a truck or a tractor-trailer and walked away from it, then you are nothing short of a miracle. Many times a victim in these kinds of accidents does not survive, and those that survive suffer extreme injuries including severe spinal injuries, head injuries, and broken limbs. It is therefore important to know how to handle a situation like this legislatively. It may not bring back your loved one or give you back any lost limbs but it will guide you on your next move legally.
A truck accident is without a doubt a personal injury and there are many reasons why you can file a suit for a personal injury after you or a loved one has been involved in a tractor-trailer accident. First of all, you have to understand that a tractor-trailer accident is a special kind of personal injury compared to others. This is because it leaves devastating results. The death of a loved one or your permanent maiming or paralysis.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
A truck driver may be inadequately trained to lead to ignoring safety techniques and driving defensively. A truck driver requires more training than an average size vehicle driver. This is because they are operating bigger machines that require more techniques to maneuver the roads.
Trucking companies have unrealistic expectations for their drivers leading them to speed ignoring all safety risks. A speeding truck is quite difficult to stop as well as control on the roads and this is one of the major reasons for truck accidents on the roads.
What Are The Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents?
The biggest reason for tractor-trailer accidents is fatigue. The drivers of tractor-trailers drive for long miles without having to take rests or sleep and this makes them exhausted which may lead to sleeping on the wheel. Once a driver sleeps on the wheel then the trailer may run over other vehicles.
Another reason is the inexperienced drivers. Trailer drivers should practice a lot before they get on the road. Tractor-trailers are massive vehicles and require one with the expertise to steer them. This allows the driver to be in control in case of anything. Roads are unpredictable and fast reflexes are an added advantage for a tractor-trailer driver.
Alcohol and drug abuse is also a major reason for tractor-trailer accidents. When a trailer driver is drunk or high on drugs, then they are not in complete control. Their reflexes are slower and reactions to situations on the road are not automatic and quick.
Improper loading of the trailer can either lead to goods falling on the road if they are not well secured or injuries while the cargo is being unloaded. Overloading can also make a trailer unstable leading to difficulties in maneuvering corners.
How Does Your Lawyer Go About Forming A case
First things first, the lawyer will investigate the accident to ensure that you or your family member involved, as their client was not at fault. That it was completely the trailer driver’s fault.
Once this has been established, then it will be settled who are the defendants, That Is if the company responsible, is the manufacturer of the truck or trailer at fault or is it solely the driver. Once the defend-ants have been established, then they will be expected to compensate you and your family depending on the extent of the injury.
If the victim has been injured and needs medical care, then the trailer driver and the company will compensate them for the medical bills as well as for the salary they lost while away from work. If the injury is permanent, for example, loss of eyesight or permanent paralysis and head injuries, then the defendant will be expected to pay a lump-sum amount for changing the victim’s quality of life and their ability to go back to their lives. If an accident leads to the death of the victim, then a wrongful death claim will be filed. The victim’s family may be compensated financially for the loss of their loved one and the driver may be convicted for manslaughter if found guilty.
Stambaugh Law promises to give you a personal injury lawyer that will walk with you on the journey from the beginning of the case to the end. They understand both Federal and State law on trucking and trailer driving and will have informed research for your case. They have a former retired policeman who will handle the investigation diligently, investigating both the events and the evidence to make sure that you have an iron-clad case. They will ensure those to be held liable are brought to book, be it the company, the manufacturer or the truck drivers. Request your free consultation for a truck or tractor-trailer accident today!
