Legal Implications for Victims of Semi-truck Accidents

Trucks move 72.2% of freight in the U.S. in terms of weight, making them integral to our logistics and economy. However, with over 4 million semi-trucks making deliveries, accidents are bound to happen. Every year, 182,000 individuals are involved in crashes with large trucks while another 4,600 die from semi-truck accidents. 

Because of the size and weight of semi-trucks, most semi-truck accidents result in the death of occupants in passenger cars even if their drivers were practicing appropriate road safety measures.

Being a victim of a semi-truck accident can be traumatic but knowing what to do after can help you better deal with its aftermath. 

In this article, we’ll shed light on the causes of semi-truck accidents, their types, and the compensation that you may be entitled to.

What Are the Most Common Truck Accidents?

Here are the most common types of truck accidents that can cause devastating and catastrophic injuries due to the vehicle’s sheer size and weight. 

Head-on Collisions

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 30% of people who died in two-vehicle crashes were struck by head-on collisions. This happens when drivers are reckless/negligent about proper right-of-way, fall asleep at the wheel, or find it difficult to slow down after speeding. 

The driver could drift out of their lane and swerve into oncoming traffic, causing extensive damage to vehicles, serious injuries, or even the death of passengers.

Jackknife Collisions

Jackknife collisions occur when a truck driver attempts to brake improperly. The tractor slows down faster while the trailer maintains its former normal speed, causing it to swing at a 90-degree angle and form a folding jackknife shape. It may collide with other vehicles before it comes to a complete stop and can cause multi-car pile-ups. 

Rear-end Collisions

Truck drivers have to maintain a safe distance so their trucks can slow down and safely stop behind other vehicles. When they fail to do so, they could strike a passenger vehicle which can be crushed upon impact due to the truck’s sheer size and weight. 

The truck may also stop too suddenly which doesn’t give the vehicles behind it enough time to follow the truck’s lead. This can also cause severe injuries, especially if there are loading issues. 

Rollover Accidents 

Truck drivers have to be careful when they’re making tight turns or swerving. This is particularly true when trucks are carrying heavy weight as the vehicle becomes even more difficult to maneuver at high speeds. A small mistake by the driver could make the trailer flip or roll sideways, causing a catastrophic hazard for the truck’s occupants and everyone else on the road. 

Side-swipe Accidents 

In side-swipe accidents, truck drivers ignore or fail to check blind spots before changing lanes or maneuvering through traffic. Hence, they may strike a vehicle traveling in adjacent lanes. This can be extremely dangerous, more so if the vehicle involved in the collision merges into other lanes, causing even more damage. 

T-bone Accidents 

T-bone accidents are basically side-impact collisions that happen when a driver ignores red lights and stop signs and/or violates the proper right-of-way. During this type of accident, the truck collides with the sides of the cars that are passing in front of them. This can be devastating for innocent passengers who are seated at the end of the collision. 

Wide-turn Accidents 

Truck operators have to swing a bit toward the left before making a right turn. When a driver attempts to turn without taking account of traffic or vehicles in its surroundings, it could collide with vehicles in the opposite lanes, resulting in severe injuries to the car’s occupants.

What Causes Truck Accidents?

The causes of truck accidents often require proper investigations so that the right party can be held accountable. In general, however, these are the aspects that should be evaluated:

• Human-motivated: Fatigue and drowsiness of the truck driver, speeding, distracted driving, unfamiliarity or inexperience with roads, driving with aggression, and driving under the influence
• Vehicle-related: Loading and unloading negligence, too much cargo, equipment failure, poor maintenance
• Environmental concerns: Severe weather conditions like snow, rain, fog, heavy winds, etc.

Poor road conditions like potholes, cracks in the pavement, malfunctioning traffic lights and signals, missing guardrails, inadequate lighting, and road debris also play a role.

What Should You Do if a Semi-truck Accident Physically Hurt You?

First things first, remain calm. 

Crashes can be scary, but it’s important to have your wits about you. 

Here’s what you need to do immediately after semi-truck accidents:

• Call 911. They’ll dispatch emergency medical services to your aid. Police will also be on-site to collect reports and establish why the crash occurred. Do not, in any case, admit fault. However, be sure to get the name and badge number of the officer(s) so you can get a copy of the report once it’s completed. 
• If you’re able, gather photos and videos of the truck wreck. You should also get information about the semi-truck, including the name of its driver, the truck’s manufacturer, company, etc.
• If you’re not injured, make an appointment with your family physician. Some injuries don’t appear immediately but can still be severe. 
• Do not discuss the crash with anyone but your injury attorney. Otherwise, anything you say can and will be used against you even if it’s done out of context. 

Additionally, if your loved one didn’t survive the crash, you can file a wrongful death claim on their behalf.

How a Semi-Truck Accident Is Different Than Other Accidents

Semi-trucks are heavier than passenger vehicles and can weigh 80,000 pounds at full capacity. As a result, their impact is just as huge which means:

You Can File for Bigger Damages

Big rigs are massive in size and weight which can prove fatal when they collide against a normal vehicle. It’s why truck drivers and their trucks are protected by millions in insurance and often by separate companies. 

So, if you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident, you can file a claim against: 

• The company that loaded the vehicle 
• The manufacturer of the vehicle 
• Third-party brokers 
• The trucking company 
• The truck driver 

This means that you can be compensated by more than one party.

It’s worth noting that insurance policies for commercial vehicles offer more coverage than passenger vehicles. Insurance companies will thus exert effort to shift the blame on you. This is why you need an experienced lawyer in your corner who can help you get the maximum compensation for all your injuries and losses. 

It’s Easy To Establish Negligence

Truck driving is serious business, so there’s a set of safety protocols and federal regulations that must be followed by drivers. 

As a rule, truckers cannot drive for more than 10 hours. In addition, they must also keep records of rest breaks, inspections, maintenance, and the loading of cargo in a log book. This could come in handy for your claim. 

If you’re injured in a truck accident and wish to pursue legal action, your lawyer could also sift through a “black box” to prove the truck driver’s negligence. This digital tracking system will provide information about the truck’s speed, and other important aspects which could help strengthen your case. 

Additionally, they’ll find witnesses and record their statements. Once they have established liability, they’ll negotiate with insurance companies to get you the compensation you need to get back to your life.

Contact KY Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered from semi truck accidents that impacted your life in any way, contact KY Lawyer at your earliest convenience. We can guide you through the process while ensuring that you’re well compensated for your losses and injuries.