Truck accidents involve any accident that involves a large and heavy vehicle, not just semi-trucks. Heavy vehicles pose particular dangers on the road that make accidents much more dangerous.
Their weight makes any impact with them much harder, even at low speeds. Recall back to high-school physics where force equals mass times acceleration. We all know that speeding is dangerous because of this, but the same goes for mass. That’s why drivers of heavy vehicles have to undergo special training to drive them.
Despite this, many truck drivers take unnecessary risks. One of the most common is driving for too long. Drivers are paid by the mile, so it’s in their interest to haul things quickly and for long periods. But drivers do get fatigued. There are strict laws about how long a commercial driver can be on the road before they must pull over at rest. When these are ignored, a driver becomes a risk.
Other factors that can cause a truck to be unsafe include drunk or drugged driving, aggressive driving, and mechanical failure. In many instances of a truck accident, the driver of the truck will come through fine. That can’t be said for whatever they hit.
That’s why injuries and deaths are so common in this kind of crash. It’s why you must speak with a personal injury attorney about your crash so that you can get compensation. Most trucking companies carry substantial insurance and you may be eligible for that. But to get the full amount you deserve, you must have a lawyer on your side that can negotiate with the insurance companies, or, if necessary, go to court on your behalf.
On this page, we have more information about truck accidents and what to do after them. Please read them if you’ve been affected by a truck accident or worry about this kind of injury.
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