
For decades, trucking has played a critical role in supporting American economic growth and providing reliable supply lines for American firms. Unfortunately, as the number of heavy trucks on America’s highways grows, so does the frequency of truck accidents every year. Because of the trucks’ size, weight, and extensive blind areas, collisions involving automobiles and trucks, semi tractor-trailers, or other commercial vehicles frequently result in severe property destruction as well as catastrophic injuries and deaths. In 2005, one out of every eight fatal accidents included a collision with a heavy vehicle.
If you or a loved one is injured in a commercial vehicle accident, you may be able to sue the liable parties for compensation. This article will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of such claims, but for further information or legal counsel, you should speak with a qualified truck accident lawyer.
What to do after a Truck Accident?
First, ensure that any wounded parties receive medical assistance at the scene of a vehicle or semi-truck collision. If it is practicable to do so without risking further danger, disabled cars should be relocated from traffic. All parties must supply their names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information, as required by law.
If a passenger car driver is not at fault in a traffic collision, one of the defendants on the truck owner/side operator’s may have broken safety legislation, ordinance, or rule.
This is significant in terms of traffic accident damage settlements because proving a breach of legislation or other rules considerably boosts an injured person’s chances of succeeding in court. And the better a defendant’s chances of succeeding in court are, the more eager he or she is to settle before going to trial.
The increased insurance needs placed on semi-truck owners and operators are another major part of state and federal regulation. For all sorts of reasons, a defendant in any lawsuit can only accept for an amount that he or she can realistically afford—or the maximum amount authorized by his or her insurance carrier (i.e. the policy limit).
Because of the higher minimum policy limits for semi-truck insurance imposed by law, the plaintiff will not be stuck with a modest payment if the driver or company only carried the minimal amount. In “typical” vehicle accident instances, this is frequently not the case with the minimal necessary insurance.
Special Exceptions in Trunk Accidents:
Large commercial trucks (particularly big rigs) operating on highways and roads pose several distinct risks that are not considered when conventional passenger cars are involved:
Knifing a Jackknife — Under certain situations, large vehicles, such as eighteen-wheelers, are prone to jackknifing, particularly during rapid braking and turning. The driver of a jackknifed truck may not be held liable if the jackknifing was caused by unexpected road slipperiness or an abrupt turn to escape a vehicle or stalled truck.
Turned Accidents — Commercial vehicles are difficult to maneuver, and making a right turn typically necessitates the usage of two lanes. Although it is not always a clear case of carelessness, some courts have decided that driving a big rig in this manner is enough to demonstrate the truck driver’s misconduct.
If you or your family member is a victim of a truck accident, consult the best personal injury lawyers at Autrey Law Firm!