What you can do if you’re involved in one
Semi-truck accidents happen all the time.
A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that 73% of large truck accidents involve another vehicle. [Source]
The vehicles involved are just part of the story.
Fully loaded, a large truck can weigh more than 80,000 pounds compared to a passenger car that may weigh only 3,000 pounds. When they collide, the results can be devastating but weight isn’t the only factor.
Driver errors, truck problems, and environmental or weather issues contribute to why semi-truck accidents happen.
How you deal with the accident can be the difference in the amount of compensation you receive and being left in the dust by big corporations and their insurance companies.
Long before your truck accident there may have been a problem with the truck itself.
Whether it’s a manufacturing defect or lack of maintenance, the driver may have done all they could to prevent an accident and an accident still happened.
That doesn’t mean the driver or trucking company aren’t liable. It means you need the experienced semi-truck accident attorney at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer to sort the details on your behalf.
Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck Problems – When it comes to large truck accidents, the two common truck-related issues are maintenance and cargo. Brakes that are not maintained cause trucks to skid into other vehicles causing accidents. If the truck isn’t loaded properly – overload or not securing the load – the cargo will shift, causing the truck to become out of control.
Driver Errors – Have you ever been a stressed out driver? Whether it’s because you’re unfamiliar with the road, are trying to get to a destination on-time, or are going too fast for weather conditions, accidents happen. It’s the same for truck drivers. They are under tremendous pressure and may have lapses in judgment, be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or become distracted causing an accident.
Lack of Sleep – The FMCSA, a division of the Department of Transportation, regulates hours of service for day-to-day and semi-truck drivers. They are required to rest a certain number of hours while on a long distance interstate trip and log these hours. As a result of this regulation, there are less semi-truck accidents but not every driver is resting or properly logging their time.
Road Conditions – Construction, signage, and weather contribute to road conditions and the resulting semi-truck accidents. By the time a driver sees their exit or begins to stop, it could be too late for other drivers.
Accidents happen for any number of reasons.
This is why you need immediate expert legal representation for you or your loved one who has been involved in a semi-truck accident.
Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer works on your behalf to sort the evidence of how your accident happened and get you the proper compensation.
Contact us or call today at 602-535-5899 for a free review of your case.
