Crucial Information to Know About Trucking Accidents In the U.S.
Accidents of any kind on the open roadways of America can be quite terrifying. We spend so much time behind the wheel of our automobiles that it’s easy to forget just how much risk we are really putting ourselves in.
However, there is no type of accident out there more dangerous and potentially damaging than one involving a large truck. Trucking accidents are rarer but ultimately much more frequently fatal to those involved.
The damage that can be done in accidents involving these large vehicles can be quite severe. Whether you were injured in this type of accident or just want to learn more about them, read on. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about trucking accidents.
Trucking Accident Basics
The large size of commercial trucking vehicles means that these types of accidents can be much more dangerous than those involving two normal passenger vehicles.
It’s not just the large size of these trucks but the weight that is often a contributing factor to their great danger. The average loaded commercial truck often weighs in at over twenty-five times more than the average car on the freeway.
At that point, it’s just physics: the damage that a large commercial truck can do far outweighs what would even be possible between two normal vehicles. A trucking accident can result in serious property damage and even more serious, even fatal, injuries for those involved.
Truck crashes are rarer than the average highway accident. This is likely because commercial truck drivers are trained professionals and often exhibit more care on the road than other drivers. However, accidents do happen, sometimes at the fault of the truck driver and sometimes due to other factors.
If you are injured in an accident with a large commercial truck, you have a right to recover compensation for your injuries. Bringing a lawsuit forward in a commercial truck accident can often be more complicated than with a traditional automobile accident.
For this reason, you should meet with an attorney who specializes in trucking accidents to help you with your case. You can see more here about what kind of experience and expertise this kind of professional should have.
Bringing a Lawsuit Forward
The main legal theories of all car accident cases still apply when it comes to large trucking accidents.
The main legal concept is still that of negligence. A person injured in a vehicle will still need to prove that the defendant failed to exercise a proper degree of care, and it was this lack of care that led to the injury.
Where things get complicated? It’s not always as clear in a trucking accident who the defendant should be. In some situations, it might be the truck driver themselves. In many others, it might actually be the trucking company themselves who should be found at fault for acting negligently.
This was the case in the well-known Tracy Morgan trucking accident case some years back, where the company itself was found to be overworking their drivers. This lack of care resulted in a massive settlement from Wal-Mart and its insurers. Morgan was severely injured and many others in the vehicle with him were fatally killed.
If a truck driver has a relationship with a company as a hired employee, it’s likely that the company themselves will be legally responsible for the actions of their employee. However, if a driver is working as an independent contractor, this responsibility will be less of a sure thing.
In some rare instances, it might be what a truck is carrying that actually contributes to an accident occurring. Poor packing of certain materials could find a product manufacturer at fault for a trucking accident. This is more of a rare occurrence, but it does happen.
What To Do After a Crash
What should you do if you were involved in a trucking accident? It can be quite shocking to be involved in this kind of accident. Your body may go into shock and it can be easy to find yourself uncertain of what actions to take.
The most important thing you can do is to check on the safety of yourself and others in the vehicle. Is anyone seriously injured? If so, immediately call 911 for emergency assistance. If everyone seems okay, move quickly to direct your car to the side of the road and out of the way of further danger.
Once you are in a safe location, do a more thorough check of everyone’s physical state. Adrenaline and shock often masks pain in the body and you might not even realize that you were injured.
Gathering Evidence
You’ll need a variety of evidence you can gather at the scene of an accident to make your case against a negligent truck driver. Photos and videos of the scene of the accident can be key to get, as well as photographic evidence of any damage or injuries.
You’ll want to ensure you get a copy of the police report that the authorities will make after arriving at the scene. When the cops ask you about the accident, stick to the facts that you can know for sure at this time.
Taking any blame or claiming you weren’t injured at this point can be a big mistake! You do not have enough information at this time to know that for sure.
What to Know About Trucking Accidents
Trucking accidents are an all-too-frequent reality on public roadways. These accidents can be horrifying and quite dangerous. The above information can help you understand all you need to know about them.
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