Truck and Semi Accidents Need the Experience of Action Law Offices
Most people don’t realize that large trucks, such as semi-trucks, 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers, can be rolled to their sides going as little as 5 mph. Their enormous mass and frame can literally crush a passenger car in its path. Annually, over 5,000 car drivers and passengers are killed in semi-truck accidents in the U.S.
- Driver Fatigue: The majority of accidents with large haulers are caused by driver fatigue. Tired eyes reduce awareness, reaction time, and ability to concentrate. There are federally regulated rules and strict penalties in place to combat this problem, but it’s still an issue. The pressure to drive for extended hours per day weighs heavily on some drivers more than others. Add the influence of drugs or alcohol and the result can be deadly.
- Defective Vehicle: Truck drivers are required to have a pre-trip inspection but trucks today literally have thousands of parts that have the potential to fail. Some of the things that are seen fairly frequently are bad tires, malfunctioning lights, fluid leaks and faulty break or steering mechanisms. Truck part defects can lead to complicated product liability cases.
- Distractive Driving: Large haulers are not exempt from the dangers of texting, eating or other distractions. Consider that truck drivers who were texting took their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 which equates to traveling more than 370 feet at 55 MPH. Big rigs may weigh in excess of 80,000 pounds, and up to 75 feet in length. A 40-ton block of steel on wheels, driving 10 miles over the speed limit, will take an additional 100 feet to stop than a passenger vehicle.
- Poor Weather: There’s not always a chance to correct a sudden change in a vehicles performance. Snow, ice, rain and fog can adversely affect the ability to stop quickly, resulting in rear-end crashes and rollovers. Be particularly aware when a truck attempts to change lanes. .
Truck Accident Victims Should Seek Medical Attention
Due to their immense size, crashes with a semi-truck are more likely to involve more than one or two passenger vehicles. These accidents often cause catastrophic injuries or death. Don’t settle for what the insurance company offers as a payout. Take Action! Demand full compensation for you and your loved ones.
Whether you are a truck driver or involved in an accident with a truck, it is important for both parties to understand that these can be complicated personal injury cases. The team at Action Law Offices is skilled at analyzing and reconstructing truck accidents. They have a track record of uncovering details that may have otherwise been overlooked. They are familiar with the unique issues at hand as well as the federal regulations, State Laws, and commercial insurance issues that may surface.