Common Causes of a Semi-Truck Accident
Due to how large these trucks are and how long it will take them to slow down or stop when traveling on the road, it is easy to see how a small car and its driver can suffer injuries if an accident is to occur. These crashes can happen for the same reasons as other accidents. However, most semi-truck drivers will try to use more caution on the road to be safe and other drivers will often give more space to the semi-truck to make sure no one gets hurt.
Auto Accidents Involving Trucks Can Be Devastating
Any type of auto accident can be traumatic for those who are involved. If you are in a truck accident though, you may have more injuries to deal with vs a car or motorcycle.
The right Philadelphia truck accident lawyer can help you get through the situation and provides you with the results that you need. Truck accidents lawyer in Philadelphia like our team understand how to handle these accidents and can make sure you get the help that you need.
After being in a truck accident, you need to make sure that you get the right truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia to be on your side. Commercial truck drivers have an obligation to be safe on the road, and when they fail to do this, it could end up being fatal. For those that are not fatal, it is possible the injuries will be severe and long-lasting.
A trucking accident lawyer in Philadelphia, PA will make sure you get the right representation for your case, no matter how severe it may be. Contact us today to find the right semi-truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia to help with your case.
However, there are a few things that can happen that will cause an accident with a semi-truck and where you will need a big truck accident attorney in Philadelphia to help you out. Some of the most common reasons behind a semi-truck accident includes:
Error of the Driver
This is the most common reason that an accident of this kind will happen. This could include different things like the driving being confused on the road, a driver who does not check their blind spots before they make lane switches, or one who is driving. This could be on the part of the passenger car driver or the driver of the semi-truck.
Driver Fatigue
Most truck drivers will work long hours with a pretty demanding schedule. The hours that they are allowed to drive are limited by the law to try to keep them and others safe. However, it is not uncommon for many drivers to continue working and driving when they are tired and should be resting. And many long haul drivers will be behind the wheel for days or weeks at a time. And the road can get really monotonous too. All these may combine to make the driver lose focus on the road and ignore the right safe driving techniques, which results in a crash.
Driving Under the Influence
This is illegal in each state. A driver of a commercial vehicle has to follow stricture guidelines for not using drugs and alcohol because of the potential for causing larger accidents. They can have very little alcohol in their system and getting caught with a high blood alcohol level could result in them losing their license. No driver should drive under the influence, but because of the size and weight of a semi-truck, the rules are stricter for these drivers.
Failing to Make the Load Secure
Many commercial trucks will haul a trailer that has a lot of product. This product has to be packed and secured the right way, helping to distribute the weight evenly through the truck. When this does not happen, it is more likely that the truck will cause an accident, especially when the truck tries to turn.
Rear-End Truck Crashes
This is one of the deadliest options and if it does happen, you may need a fatal semi-truck accident attorney in Philadelphia to help you out. This will occur when the truck driver is not able to stop or slow down in time to prevent a crash right into the car that is there. The truck will then strike behind the car with a good deal of force. This will often lead to severe injuries and often death.
Wide Turns
Whether the truck driver is turning left or right, they will need to make a bigger turn compared to what a passenger vehicle is able to do. Think about how big the semi-truck is and the amount of weight that comes with it. They still are not able to cross other lanes of traffic for this. Doing.so will often cause them to wipe right into another vehicle in the process.
Driving while distracted
While most truck drivers are great at focusing their attention on the road and paying attention to what is going on around them, not all drivers choose to go with this approach. Too many use gadgets in their vehicle, including their phones and tablets, which can distract the driver from what they need to get done. Many companies are implementing rules about what they allow their drivers to do while driving, but the individual driver needs to comply with the rules and all local and federal laws too.
Lack of Truck Driver Training
There is a huge demand for truck drivers right now. This can make the supply of qualified drivers too low for the amount of demand. Some companies try to fill the gap by hiring drivers and not training them enough or checking the skills of the driver. When the wrong person gets behind the wheel, or someone who does not have the right training, it can lead to severe accidents.
What Injuries Can I Sustain in a Semi-Truck Accident?
There are a number of different types of injuries that you may sustain when being in a semi-truck accident. Some are more severe than others and all of them can lead to pain and suffering that will last a long time. Some of the most common injuries that you can sustain from a semi-truck accident includes:
- Brain and head injuries: These can range from being mild to severe. They may include diffuse axonal injuries, contusions, open head injuries, and concussions. It is possible that these will add more complications to your recovery, including learning disabilities, emotional and cognitive issues, and even death. The injuries are common and can change the life of the victim.
- Neck injuries and spinal cord injuries: These are common after a truck accident too. Depending on the severity, these injuries can cause a complete loss of mobility or even make the person partially paralyzed. These can mean costly bills and lots of pain and suffering after a truck accident.
- Internal injuries: It is possible that a truck accident can cause internal damage, including internal bleeding. These can appear right away or sometimes they take a few days after the accident to show up. Even if you can’t see the injuries on the outside, seek medical attention right away to check for those internal injuries.
- Fractures and broken bones: Since these accidents involve a powerful force from a big truck, the collision can result in broken bones to the person in the other car. Fractures can heal in a cast but there are times when they result in complications like a surgery or an infection. They often come with some other injuries like back and neck injuries.
- Lacerations: these are common because glass and other sharp objects can go flying. Many of these can heal with the right care, but you may need stitches to handle them as well. In some cases, they may lead to infection or a big scar you need to live with.
- Emotional and mental trauma: Anyone who has seen or been in a truck accident can see how it would cause emotional and mental trauma. Many victims will develop PTSD, anxiety, or depression. With the right medication or therapy, these can get better. But they are often overlooked after the accident, which can cause more pain and suffering for the individual.
If you have been in a truck accident, it is time to contact the right truck accident attorney in Philadelphia right away. You have gone through enough with this accident and it is important that your claim goes right. Our team can walk you through the steps to a successful claim.
Determining Liability in a Truck Accident
A truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia can help determine liability in a truck accident. These accidents can be complicated because there can be different parties that are liable for the injuries. This will depend on how the accident happened. Our team can investigate to figure out who is at fault.
For example, a driver could be liable if they were texting while driving, drinking and driving, and driving recklessly. In many cases, the accident will be the fault of the driver if they act negligent when behind the wheel. However, if there is a driver that is tired and still driving because their employer is overscheduling the driver and not giving them the right breaks, it may be the trucking company that is liable for injuries. The driver not being fully trained could be the fault of the trucking company as well.
In some cases, a truck may be defective or a part goes out when it shouldn’t. In this case, it is possible that the truck manufacturers who are liable. If the truck company could have prevented the accident with the right safety checks, then they will most likely be liable.
Since there are so many variables at play, it is important to complete a full investigation into the accident to figure out who is liable for the injuries. The right truck accident attorney in Philadelphia will do the investigating for you and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Receiving Your Compensation
After one of these accidents, you will likely need to miss work and spend some time in the hospital. You may be surprised by the amount of financial debt you accumulate over this time. Your semi-truck accident attorney will help make sure you get the right settlement to handle all of these deals.
There are two categories of compensation you can get for this accident. These include non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages will refer to any direct monetary values that come with your claim. This can include lost wages, medical bills, and any other costs that come from recovering from your injuries.
Then there are non-economic damages which can include pain and suffering, compensation for being on permanent disability, and loss of earning potential. These are a little more difficult to work with and come up with a number. Our team can work with you to come up with the fair compensation for your needs.
Semi-truck drivers have a responsibility to be careful and take care on the road. When they don’t, the accident can be large. If you have been in an accident with a semi-truck, you need to find the right semi-truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia. Our team is here to help you through your case and let you know the right steps that you can take. Since these accidents can cause a large amount of pain and suffering and other damage, it is important that you work with a commercial truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia to help you, rather than doing it on your own.
As soon as possible after the accident, contact us to help handle your case. We are the best truck accident in city center of Philadelphia. We are your big truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia and understand how to handle your case, no matter what the situation is around it. You have enough to do after a big truck accident, don’t add more to your plate by handling the claim on your own as well. Contact our team to help take care of you. “We Win or It’s Free” ®