Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents
- What should I do if I am involved in a truck accident?
- How important is an accident investigation?
- What are the most common causes of truck accidents?
- What kinds of trucks are considered commercial trucks or heavy trucks?
- How are truck accidents different from other accident cases?
What should I do if I am involved in a truck accident?
If you have been in an accident with a truck, an important first step is obtaining as much information as possible. Obtain the names, addresses, and contact information of all of the drivers and vehicle owners involved in the accident, and any potential witnesses. You also want to obtain insurance policy information from the other vehicles' owners. Information about the accident scene, such as the position of the vehicles, photographs of the scene, and weather and lighting conditions can also assist your case.
There are also other important steps to take after an accident. Report the accident to the police, especially if you believe there were traffic violations. Call an ambulance and get medical attention for yourself or anyone else who was hurt in the accident. Notify your insurance company and seek medical attention if you start experiencing any pain or discomfort after the accident.
How important is an accident investigation?
Truck accident cases are often very complex, requiring a thorough investigation of the causes and circumstances behind the accident. Experienced truck accident attorneys understand that the success of any truck accident case hinges upon the collection of critical evidence. The types of evidence that attorneys and their investigators will seek to collect include:
- Measuring skid marks
- Tire examination
- Truck maintenance records
- Truck schedule, log books and GPS information
- Driver records
- Transportation company records
- Witness statements
- Medical records
Obtaining this evidence helps determine who was responsible for the accident, and can assist in establishing liability if the case proceeds to trial.
What are the most common causes of truck accidents?
Truck accidents occur for a variety of reasons. According the National Transportation Safety Board, some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Lack of training
- Drive fatigue
- Speeding
- Overloaded trucks
- Oversized trucks
- Brake failure
- Poor driving conditions
- Driver inexperience
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Aggressive, dangerous or reckless driving
- Mechanical failure
- Defective parts (such as brakes)
According to national statistics from the Research and Innovative Technology Administration Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in the year 2007 alone there were more than 350,000 accidents total involving large trucks. The number of truck accidents varies from state to state. For example, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation's statistics, there were more than 8,000 total crashes involving trucks in 2007, and more than 2,000 total injuries resulted from those crashes. In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation reports that there were more than 20,000 crashes involving trucks, resulting in more than 2,000 injuries in 2007.
In California, the number of people injured from truck crashes was much greater. According to the California Highway Patrol, reports show that there were more than 7,000 injury accidents involving trucks in 2007. In Florida, the number of truck accident injuries was also high. According to Florida's Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles statistics from 2006, there were more than 5,000 injuries that resulted from more than 9,000 total crashes involving trucks.
What kinds of trucks are considered commercial trucks or heavy trucks?
Trucks used by a business or for the transport of commercial goods are generally considered commercial or heavy trucks. Examples of commercial or large trucks include:
- 18-wheelers or “big rigs”
- Tractor trailers
- Tanker trucks
- Delivery trucks
- Large freight trucks
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations Section 390.5 defines commercial vehicles, with some exceptions, as “any self propelled or towed motor vehicle operated in commerce,” which meet a specific weight threshold.
How are truck accidents different from other accident cases?
Due to the disparity in size between a truck and a passenger vehicle, accidents involving trucks are often far more destructive and devastating than accidents involving smaller vehicles. On average, a car normally weighs about 3,000 pounds, whereas a loaded truck may weigh in excess of 80,000 pounds. Furthermore, unlike smaller vehicles, because of a truck's sheer weight and heavy contents, trucks require a greater stopping distance and must maintain a greater distance between them and other vehicles. When a safe distance is not maintained, the results can be catastrophic; trucks colliding with great speed and force into other vehicles can cause severe and life-threatening injuries to those involved.
To ensure that your rights are protected, it is important to contact an experienced attorney who has successfully represented truck accident victims. Our team of experienced attorneys can assist you if you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident. Contact Langdon & Emison for a free evaluation of your case.
