There were 4,136 people who died in truck accidents in 2018, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Most injured people in truck accidents are occupants in passenger vehicles, who are in an extremely vulnerable position after being hit by a vehicle weighing dozens of tons. However, trucking companies will try to avoid expensive claims and liability and will likely deploy their own team at the site of the accident scene shortly after the collision.
To level the playing field, many accident victims choose to retain the services of a cargo truck accident lawyer serving Marysville. You can speak to a member of the Bressman Law team by calling (614) 538-1116. We can discuss how we can help and what your options for recovery are.
Reasons for Why Your Truck Accident Might Have Occurred
Truck accidents may be caused by a variety of reasons, including driver error or a trucking company’s lack of adherence to state or federal laws. Some of the other reasons include:
For a free legal consultation with a cargo truck accidents lawyer serving Marysville, call (614) 538-1116
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers often work long hours each day and may suffer from medical conditions that make them particularly susceptible to driver fatigue. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) hours of service rules restrict truck drivers to only driving for 11 hours a day after taking ten consecutive hours off. However, trucking companies may encourage truck drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines that would require disobeying these rules.
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Speeding
Drivers may speed in order to make their deliveries on time. When truckers speed, they will require more time to come to a complete stop, making it more difficult to avoid a collision if there is a hazard in front of them. Additionally, it is much harder to control a speeding vehicle.
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Distracted Driving
Because driving a truck for many consecutive hours can become very tedious and monotonous, some drivers may be tempted to engage in other activities while driving, such as texting, fiddling with the vehicle’s controls, eating, reading, drinking, or completing any other activity that takes their attention off the task of driving.
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Impairment
Truck drivers may have their ability to drive safely compromised by:
- Illegal drugs
- Alcohol
- Sleep aids
- Prescription medication
- Over-the-counter medication
Being impaired by these substances can result in truck drivers taking more risks, speeding, making unsafe lane changes, and becoming drowsy behind the wheel.
Overloaded Trucks
The Ohio Department of Transportation (DOT) establishes rules about how much weight motor vehicles can carry. Under these rules, the maximum weight that a vehicle can have is equal to the number of tires, multiplied by the tread width conveyed in inches, multiplied by 800. Under this formula, maximum weight limits are equal to the following:
- 29,000 pounds for single-axle vehicles
- 36,000 pounds for short tandem vehicles
- 50,000 pounds for long tandem vehicles
- 60,000 pounds for short quad-axle or long tri-axle vehicles
- 80,000 pounds for long quad-axles
Inadequate Training
There are regulations that mandate how many training hours a commercial truck driver must have to be qualified to drive a commercial vehicle. However, the trucking industry often struggles with retaining enough drivers due to the difficulty of the job and the long hours away from home.
As a result, a trucking company may take shortcuts around these requirements. This can result in an unsafe driver with limited experience behind the wheel of a powerful machine that can kill unsuspecting motorists if they do not know how to properly respond to hazards.
Poor Maintenance
Trucking companies are required to inspect their trucks before they go on the road. However, this is another safety measure that may be disregarded in the interest of increasing the profits of trucking companies.
Improper Cargo Loading
There are also rules that trucking companies must follow regarding the proper loading of commercial trucks to prevent cargo from shifting or falling out while it is driven.
Your cargo truck accident lawyer serving Marysville will figure out how your accident occurred. Call (614) 538-1116 to speak to a Bressman Law team member about your case.
Types of Injuries Involved in Truck Accidents
Due to the weight and force of impact involved in accidents involving truck accidents, some of the injuries that may occur in truck accidents include:
Traumatic Head Injuries
Traumatic head injuries may occur when the victim makes contact with a hard object like the dashboard or seat in front of them. These injuries can sometimes have life-altering effects.
Spinal Cord Injuries
These injuries may cause partial, temporary, or complete paralysis, which can have a major impact on your life and ability to earn a living.
Amputation
Amputations sometimes occur as a result of a tragic truck accident, but they may sometimes be necessary to treat a severe injury stemming from the accident. A severe burn or fracture may necessitate amputation, for instance.
Neck and Back Injuries
Your neck and back contain several small bones that are susceptible to injury in case of a high-impact collision.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries such as internal bleeding or organ damage may occur after a truck accident. This may happen due to the force of the impact or because of equipment designed to protect you, such as the seat belt or airbag.
Soft tissue injuries – Soft tissue injuries include injuries to muscles, ligaments, or tendons. Whiplash is a common soft tissue injury that can occur after a victim’s head and neck are snapped forward.
Damages You Could Recover in Your Truck Accident Claim
Damages stemming from truck accidents vary on a case-by-case basis. Some that you could recover may include the following:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Contact our team to learn more about the potential value of your claim and to discuss your legal rights and options.
Contact Us for Assistance with Your Claim
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, a cargo truck accident lawyer serving Marysville can help. We will investigate the factors that contributed to your accident and seek to hold all responsible parties liable for the injuries you sustained. We provide a free case review to learn more about your claim and explain how we can help.
Call Bressman Law today at (614) 538-1116 to get the process started.
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