Thousands of people die yearly due to accidents caused by semi-trucks and most of these victims were in passenger vehicles. In 2016, there were 34,439 police-reported fatal car accidents, with 8% of these fatal car accidents linked to large trucks and of those, 71% were semi-trucks. Unfortunately, because of the weight of these trucks, occupants of passenger vehicles are most at risk for injury and death when a car and semi-truck collide.
There are a number of reasons for these types of accidents, including:
- Driver Fatigue-Truck drivers are often driving thousands of miles in just a few days, or because they are paid by the mile, there is incentive to drive longer than they should. Federal regulations limit the number of hours a driver is permitted to drive in any given day, but many drivers circumvent these regulations, putting other drivers at risk.
- Distracted Driving-Truck drivers are no different than any other driver, they are susceptible to outside distractions when they get behind the wheel. This may be using a phone for texting or checking emails, playing with the radio, using GPS systems, eating and drinking, or distractions happening on the roadway.
- Driver Inexperience-Truck driving has a high turnover rate and there is a shortage of semi-truck drivers available to drive. Often, trucking companies fail to ask the appropriate questions about experience, or they push new drivers through trucking training schools quickly to get them on the road at a cheaper rate than more experienced drivers. When an inexperienced driver is behind the wheel of a dangerous vehicle, accidents can be devastating.
- Improper Maintenance-Trucking companies and their drivers are required by Federal law to keep semi-trucks in proper and safe working order. When they fail at this basic maintenance, accidents can occur due to failing or worn equipment malfunctioning.
- Improper Loading-Drivers are paid for being quick and sometimes trucks can be overloaded or loaded improperly. This improper loading can cause loads to shift or fall from a truck, as well as cause the truck to jackknife or roll.
If you or a loved one was involved in a semi-truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages and medical bills. An experienced personal injury lawyer can review your case and determine who may be liable for your injuries.
We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
