Were you injured in a collision with a truck? You need to read this!

It is estimated that about 15% of highway deaths each year are due to collisions involving large trucks.

If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a large truck, the chances are that there have been severe, debilitating, permanent injuries and even death. Due to the massive difference in sheer size and weight between an ordinary motor car and a heavy truck, the motor car will typically lose in the end.

It is a well-known fact that injuries incurred due to accidents with trucks are much more severe and life-changing for the car’s occupants than these injuries would be in a car-on-car motor vehicle collision.

If you or a loved one have suffered severe injuries in a truck collision, you need to speak to a skilled and experienced truck accident lawyer with a strong track record.

The unique facts to be taken into account in accidents of this nature require a specialized approach by a professional attorney with the experience of dealing with personal injury claims involving heavy trucks.

Let’s dig a little deeper …

Differences between car-on-car accidents and truck-on-car accidents

It is a statistical fact that truck accidents are more likely to result in death or serious injury than any other accident.
Commercial trucks, even unladen, weigh many times the weight of cars and have vastly inferior braking and maneuvering abilities.
The devastation caused in any accident between a truck and a car is often catastrophic and, more often than not, results in death.

Additional relevant evidence in truck accidents

There is much more evidence available in a truck accident than in an accident with a car.

Access to the truck’s “Black Box”

Most commercial trucks have “black boxes” on board which record all manner of things such as the speed at the time of the accident, weather conditions, amount of time brakes were applied, and so on. These black boxes can be secured as evidence, and your attorney can get access to all of the records, which may prove critical in any potential litigation.

Access to trip inspection records

Trip inspection records are another valuable source of information. Truck and trailer combinations are mandated to do these inspections every 24 hours that the truck is in service. Again, this evidence, or lack of it, can be very beneficial to your case.

Access to daily travel logs

Truck drivers are obligated to keep detailed daily travel logs which can be used as evidence of hours driven. This evidence can be critical where the driver is alleged to have fallen asleep.

Access to information about the truck, cargo, and weight

This information is also mandatory for the truck driver to maintain and is potentially helpful as evidence relating to these facts.

Access to annual inspection certificates

Annual inspection certificates are mandatory. If these have not been adequately done or are absent, it is easier to prove liability on the part of the truck driver and company.

It’s not just another accident claim

An injury claim involving a large, heavy truck accident is more complicated than a standard car-on-car claim.

 
Your lawyer should have specialized knowledge and experience relating to truck accidents. Without this, you may end up with an award that will be insufficient to help you deal with the expenses and life-changing adjustments you need to make if you are lucky enough to survive these horrendous crashes.

Pick your lawyer wisely.