Approximately 130,000 people suffer truck accident injuries per year and thousands more die. Common injuries include broken bones, spine injuries, head trauma, internal bleeding, and whiplash.
If you were recently in a semi-truck accident, collecting as much information as possible is essential. Then you will know how to proceed legally and financially.
Learn all about semi-truck accidents below, including how to know if you have a case. After reading this guide, contact the truck accident lawyers Pastrana & García for a complimentary case review.
Speed Is a Major Factor in Truck Accidents
Speed is the most common contributing factor in semi-truck accidents. In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported in 2019 that many truck fatalities involved those in passenger vehicles with speeding truck drivers.
Trucks typically weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger vehicles. A truck’s stopping distance is also much longer than a car’s. The damage can be catastrophic if the truck speeds and slams into a smaller vehicle. Even if the victims survive, they may suffer life-changing injuries.
Truck Braking Issues Are Common
Truckers and their companies must maintain their rigs to be safe on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires motor carriers to inspect, maintain, and repair their trucks regularly.
However, many drivers fail to inspect their brakes daily. The crash can lead to devastating injuries and fatalities if truck brakes fail.
If you are in an accident where the truck’s brakes failed, talk to your truck accident lawyer right away. Their law firm can subpoena the truck company’s repair records and quickly determine if negligence was involved.
Truck Crashes Are More Common on Rural Roads
Rural roads tend to be two lanes with limited visibility. When trucks use rural roads, there is less room for error. All it takes is for the trucker’s attention to drift. Many serious accidents occur when the truck driver drifts into the opposing lane.
Most Truck Crashes Are Due to Driver Error
Truck drivers are professionals and are held to a higher standard on public roads. But most truck crashes are because of driver error, including:
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding
- Intoxicated driving
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous lane changes
- Not checking blindspots
Your truck accident attorney will review the case evidence. They will determine if the truck driver’s negligence led to your injuries. If so, you could be eligible for compensation.
Don’t worry about the attorney’s legal fees. Your attorney is paid from the settlement or award if you win the case.
Some Truck Accidents Are Caused by Passenger Cars
The trucker causes some truck accidents, but not all of them. Some passenger vehicles also cause truck accidents. For example, a car driver may be hidden in the truck driver’s blind spot and cause an accident. Or, the passenger car driver may cut the truck off in traffic.
If you were partially at fault for the truck accident, your compensation in a lawsuit could be reduced. This is because Texas has a comparative negligence standard in motor vehicle accidents. In an accident, you can only recover damages if you were less than 50% responsible for the crash.
Your attorney will dig into the case to find out who was responsible. If you bear a portion of responsibility for the accident, your attorney will still fight to get you the most compensation.
How Do You Know You Have a Truck Accident Case?
Many factors decide if you have a valid personal injury case. Your Pflugerville truck crash attorney will review the crash during your consultation to determine if you deserve compensation. Common factors in truck crash lawsuits include:
- There were severe injuries or death. If the truck crash severely injured or killed someone, there is probably a case. The physical, emotional, and financial losses from a severe truck accident can be devastating.
- Medical bills are overwhelming. It might take tractor-trailer crash victims months or years to recover from their injuries. Few people have the financial resources to shoulder tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
- The insurance company won’t pay. Many truck company insurers will try to argue you caused the accident. Or they know you need money and will offer a small settlement. But with serious injuries, you need serious compensation. A truck accident attorney is there to help you.
- The truck driver was negligent. If the truck driver was clearly at fault, you should file a lawsuit for damages. Your truck accident lawyer will work hard to find out who was responsible, so they have to pay.
Why Go to the ER If I Feel Okay After the Accident?
It is not usual for injured drivers or passengers to feel okay after an accident. However, your body is probably surging with adrenaline, and you may not feel your injuries at first. A trip to the emergency room is advisable after you’ve had an accident, so a medical professional can check you out for any undetected injuries.
Delaying medical treatment will usually cause the insurance company to question or deny your claim.
Were You or a Loved One in A Semi-Truck Accident? A Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you are in a severe semi-truck accident, you could be left with a pile of medical bills and be unable to work. A Pflugerville semi-truck accident lawyer can help you receive compensation for your injuries and other losses. If you’ve been involved in a semi-truck accident in Pflugerville, Bastrop, Round Rock, Taylor, Hutto, or the surrounding areas, schedule a free consultation with Pastrana & García Injury Law.
