Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Commercial Truck Accident

Every year, people are seriously injured in vehicle accidents. In 2007, large truck accidents accounted for 3% of injury crashes. If you, or a loved one, have recently suffered a personal injury due to a trucking accident, you should contact an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. A skilled attorney will help file a personal injury claim and fight the trucking company to recover damages for medical treatment, loss of income, and vehicle repairs.

Truck Accidents Involve Serious Injury

Common injuries sustained in a large truck accident include broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries and burns. You may need to receive extensive medical treatment in order to get back on your feet again. Depending on your injuries, rehabilitation and physical therapy may be necessary to learn how to complete day-to-day tasks again after your trucking accident.

Why do truck accidents lead to such life-altering injuries? A large truck’s length and width make it difficult to navigate, even in ideal conditions. If the road conditions are bad, the truck is not maintained properly, or there is driver error, it can lead to serious consequences. The average large truck, such as an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, can weigh in excess of 80,000 pounds, while an average passenger car weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. Clearly, a passenger car is no match when involved in a large truck collision.

Types of Trucking Accidents

The following are common types of truck accidents that can lead to serious personal injury or even death:

Wide-Turn Truck Accidents

A wide turn accident occurs when a truck swings the front of the vehicle out in order to turn in the opposite direction. In doing so, the truck driver may hit another vehicle or push it off of the road or into a lane with oncoming traffic.

Truck Brake Failure

Brake failure may occur if a truck is driving downhill and the brakes are not in good working order. If the load is unbalanced, or the truck driver is not familiar with how to properly use the brakes, it can lead to a trucking accident.

Blind Spot Accidents

A blind spot accident happens because it is sometimes difficult for a truck driver to see vehicles driving right beside the truck.

Jack-Knife Accidents

A jack-knife accident happens if a large truck skids on wet or icy roads and the trailer swings out into a 90-degree angle to the front cab. This type of truck accident can lead to multiple car pile-ups when it occurs on a busy roadway.

It is important to hire an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible after your trucking accident. Your attorney can help you file a personal injury claim in order to receive compensation for your injuries.