Crashes involving commercial vehicles occur with a tremendous amount of force. While most truckers and trucking companies put safety as their highest priority, truck crashes are still reported in the United States on a daily basis. In 2021, nearly 5,000 people were killed in United States truck accidents. About 70% of truck accident victims were in the other vehicle that was involved in the accident.
A serious or fatal truck crash can take place at a moment's notice. One minute you could be driving down the road minding your own business, and the next, you can find yourself as the victim of a major collision. If you or a loved one have been affected by a truck accident, you could have certain valuable legal rights. During this time, it is important to speak with a skilled national truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
A fully loaded commercial vehicle can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. For comparison, a large passenger pickup truck weighs about 4,000 to 5,000 pounds. It is no surprise therefore that truck accidents tend to be among the most catastrophic collisions that occur on interstate highways.
With commercial trucks being so large and heavy, there are certain other factors that make truck accidents more dangerous. Commercial vehicles are taller than other vehicles on the road. They also have a much greater braking and stopping distance. As an example, a car that is traveling 65 miles per hour needs about 300 feet to come to a complete stop. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a commercial truck traveling at the same speed requires at least twice that distance to stop.
As a result, truck accidents often involve deadly rear-end crashes. These accidents can occur at higher speeds. A high-speed rear-end accident has the potential to completely crush a smaller vehicle and trap its occupants inside.
Most commercial truck accidents happen because of driver negligence. In some instances, the truck driver is at fault. Some common causes of truck accidents include:
In the aftermath of a truck accident, the cause must be carefully investigated. The above factors must always be considered as a potential reason for why an accident occurred. Unfortunately, one or more of these reasons can be at play in a fatal big rig crash.
Following a deadly truck crash, it is important to understand your legal rights. Family members who have been affected by the accident may be entitled to file a claim, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
During this time, you should turn to an experienced truck accident attorney who you can trust. An attorney will ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation that your family deserves.
A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed against many potential parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, mechanics, inspectors, and parts manufacturers. It is vital to ensure that the appropriate parties are held accountable for the deadly collision.
Truck accident claims are handled by insurance companies. These companies and their adjusters are trained to offer and pay low settlement amounts. Victims of truck accidents are untrained in dealing with adjusters. Further, the days and weeks following a truck accident are very emotional. Victims are normally not in the appropriate mental state to deal with the stress of a legal claim and an insurance adjuster. Turning to an attorney who can protect your legal rights is important during this difficult time.
A wrongful death lawsuit is a complicated legal process. These claims must be filed within a specific period of time in every state. There are often mandatory procedures that must be filed to preserve your claim. Wrongful death cases are filed by the victim's next of kin. The damages available in a wrongful death claim include:
In order to make sure that your rights are protected, and you receive the appropriate settlement, it is best to use an experienced wrongful death attorney following a deadly truck accident.
The days and weeks following the loss of a loved one are devastating. There is nothing more difficult than losing a family member in a crash that was not their fault. Deadly commercial truck accidents often could have been prevented. When they do occur, you should hold the responsible parties accountable and seek justice.
Here at Burg Simpson, our team has many years of experience handling trucking accident claims. We have assisted victims in truck crash claims across the United States. During this time, we have recovered more than $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We know what needs to be done to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
We are standing by to speak with you at any time. Our firm always provides free consultations and case evaluations for all potential and prospective clients. When you are in need of a tough and reliable law firm, you can count on us to deliver the best results. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing until we win. To schedule your appointment with a nationwide fatal truck accident lawyer, please reach out to us using our online contact form or give us a call at (866) 695-2112).
Truck accidents are major, catastrophic events that can lead to devastating injuries and extreme damage...
Large commercial trucks make up about 5% of all registered vehicles nationwide. Given their weight...
Each year, more than 150,000 injuries are reported in commercial truck accidents in the United...
