Truck accidents are a frightening prospect in this country. If you've never been involved in a truck accident, or if you've never known someone who has, you may not realize how deadly they can be. Trucks can weigh more than 80,000 pounds and be as much as 75 feet long. That's a big obstacle for a car or pedestrian to deal with. And in fact, there are over 500,000 truck accidents each year, with 5,000 of them resulting in fatalities. Whether the victims are killed or injured, the odds are they or their families have a case in which to seek compensation from the truck driver or the trucking company. However, you must file a claim within the statute of limitations in your state in order for your case to be considered. Be sure to contact a trucking accident attorney to discuss your case and determine how to proceed.