Crashes involving trucks generally cause the most traumatic and catastrophic injuries. Drivers in smaller cars are in a disadvantaged position at any given point because of the big difference in size between a car and a truck. Truck-drivers are required by law to follow a specific set of rules and regulations in order to protect those around them.
Unfortunately, violations of rules and regulations often result in crashes and, in extreme cases, fatalities. Violations of the laws and regulations are generally a result of speed, drug consumption, alcohol consumption, failure to inspect and maintain the truck, and a list of other less common factors.
Causes of Truck Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports the following common reasons behind truck accidents across the nation:
- Speeding
- Weather conditions
- Malfunctioning brakes
- Driving operating the truck under the influence of OTC medications or prescription medication
- Illegal driving behavior (maneuvers)
- Driver fatigue (Sleepiness, tiredness, etc.)
- The driver is overstressed to meet a deadline.
- Not enough distance between moving vehicles
- Illness
- Unbalanced truck
- General distractions (phone, conversation, etc.)
- Zoning out / losing focus
- Other
Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accident injuries can be among the most severe type of injuries that occur in motor vehicle accidents. These injuries can be complicated and challenging to overcome. It is, therefore, paramount to have legal assistance right from the start. TorkLaw attorneys have substantial experience in trucking accidents and can help you claim the compensation you deserve.
Truck Accidents in Washington DC and Liable Parties
After a truck accident, it is essential to gather evidence and determine who is liable for the damages so the injured parties can be compensated. This process can take a while. There can be many parties involved in the investigation, such as the local police, federal investigators, NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), and insurance companies.
You will need a legal team you trust working just for you, ensuring that you will receive any compensation you deserve.
Generally, the accident analysis will evaluate the schene, the truck, and review any ‘black box’ information available. Once the investigation is complete, then the liable parties can be identified. Possible responsible parties include:
- The trucking company
- The truck driver
- The warehouse or loading team
- Truck manufacturer
- The maintenance team
- Parts manufacturer
- State or government for failing to maintain safe road standards
TorkLaw statistically has observed that trucking accidents tend to hold the truck driver as the liable party generally. However, every case is different, proving the case requires an experienced team with substantial personal injury law knowledge.
The good news for everyone involved is that almost always, trucks and trucking companies have extensive insurance policies in place. This means that damages can be covered, and the victim can receive fair compensation to deal with any costs arising from treatment and rehabilitation, and more.
We will work hard to ensure fair compensation. Remember that insurance companies will try to minimize damages to reduce the settlement.
What (FMCSA)Violations Lead to Truck Accidents
There is a set of safety regulations in place designed to protect everyone on the road. Violating these rules and regulation result in accidents.
Some of the most commonly violated rules and regulations include:
- Not abiding by the service requirements.
- Driving for longer than recommended without a break
- Driving under the influence of substances (drugs, alcohol, OTC medications, and prescription medications)
- Drivers that do not have the appropriate license to drive a truck (CDL)
- Reckless driving
- Issues with the merchandise that is being transported (unbalanced, etc.)
Despite the safety and regulation guidelines, thousands of trucking accidents happen annually, causing severe injuries. If you are a victim of a truck accident, you must seek legal representation as soon as possible.
More information on Truck Accidents
- Truck accidents often can involve a number of liable parties.
- Trucking laws can be complex to understand as there are many parties involved in the situation. An example is a company that uses contractors versus a company that employs truck drivers. These two situations are handles differently and required an experienced legal team.
- There are three classifications for damages that occur due to truck accidents: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
What are the Differences in the Three Types of Damages
- Economic damages include compensation for any type of financial loss the victim has suffered. This includes medical bills and lost wages.
- Non-economic damages include compensation for pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
- Punitive damages involve punishing the liable party responsible for the accident.
Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
As previously mentioned, truck accident injuries can be more severe than other kinds of motor accident injuries. Some of these injuries include:
- Back and neck injuries – Your back and neck have many smaller, fragile bones and ligaments. Whiplash is a prevalent injury, and it generally does not appear immediately. However, this kind of damage can cause long-term issues with neck pain, migraine, headaches, and back pain.
- Spinal injuries – Spinal injuries are extremely serious as they can lead to partial or full paralysis. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent. Spinal injuries are very hard to fix, and in the case where the injuries are treatable, the patient requires surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, external adaptive devices, and at-home care.
- Head and brain injuries – Like spinal injuries, head and brain injuries can be minor or severe. In the event of a traumatic brain injury, the damage might be permanent, leading to disability.
- Burns – Truck accidents cause a lot of damage on impact, and quite often, trucks experience a rupture of their fuel tank. This can result in fire and burn injuries.
- Disfigurement/Amputation – The impact alone can result in amputation. In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one has experienced amputation in a truck accident, there will be a need for on=going medical care, prosthetics, and rehabilitation care.
- Internal injuries – Sometimes, after a high impact accident, people can exit their cars and thank their lucky stars for being alive and having no visible injuries. It is still imperative to seek medical attention and confirm that no internal injuries have occurred. The emergency tea will check all your vital organs to rule out any internal bleeding or other damage.
Seeking medical care immediately after an accident is critical. Our team at TorkLaw is here to help you build your case and seek compensation for any damages, so you do not have to worry about your recovery time’s financial aspect.