There are more than 15 million trucks operating in the U.S., 2 million of which are tractor-trailers. With over 3.5 million truck drivers and 1.2 million trucking companies, these vehicles logged over 400 billion miles and carried over $6 billion in goods. [1] Trucking is big business in the U.S., and trucks are present on a large number of our roadways.
Due to their bigger size, trucks contribute to some of the most serious accidents that occur on our highways and roads each day. In 2017, trucks were involved in over 4,800 fatal crashes and over 97,000 injuries, representing an increase of 62% since 2009. [2] Fatal crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and non-motorized vehicles made up 20% of fatal crashes while 63% of all truck crashes involve two or more vehicles.
Because of their size and mass, it’s no surprise that accident survivors suffer some of the most serious injuries. The types of injuries that occur often require immediate medical attention and long-term care that can cost a victim both grave financial losses, as well as suffer serious long-term health issues. Compensation may be available if you were in an accident. Contact a Hollywood truck accident attorney today to evaluate a potential case on your behalf.
There are several different causes of accidents in Hollywood. A truck crash lawyer might identify the following causes as the most common:
A distracted driver Driver fatigue Drug and alcohol use Inadequate training Poor maintenance Speeding Improperly loaded cargoThe most common cause of accidents, according to our truck wreck lawyers, is distracted driving. Today, more than ever, there are more reasons for a driver to be distracted. Between the radio, cellphone, and text messaging, more often than not, a distraction contributes to an accident. Big rigs require special care to be sure that a driver can keep his or her vehicle under control. With large payloads, stopping quickly is often difficult, and any distraction can reduce reaction times significantly enough to contribute to a crash.
While some drugs are inherently illegal and certainly forbidden from use while driving any vehicle, there are some legal pharmaceuticals that can affect a driver’s ability to concentrate while driving on the road. Additionally, while alcohol may be legal, using alcohol while operating any vehicle can greatly increase the chances of a crash. In 2016 alone, over 10,400 people died in alcohol-related driving crashes, making up 28% of all traffic-related deaths for that year. [3]
Proper training is essential for avoiding a crash. Truck drivers are required to undergo additional training to secure additional license endorsements to ensure that they are properly trained to use these bigger vehicles. This additional training includes both a written test as well as an on-road exam. Unfortunately, even with additional training, accidents can still occur. One contributing factor is the failure of a driver to obtain the correct endorsement for the vehicle they are operating. Additionally, failing to brush up on their skills can cause a driver to lose the ability to react to a dangerous situation as quickly as they could if they had maintained their training.
Driver fatigue often plays a role in crashes in Hollywood as well. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issues rules on the amount of time each driver may operate a vehicle each day. The rules vary based on the type of vehicle being operated and the type of cargo being carried but generally limit driving between 10 and 15 hours each day. [4] With the pressures of getting cargo to its destination on time, often these rules are ignored. And even when they are followed, it’s still all too easy for a driver to become tired while stuck in traffic at the end of a 15-hour driving shift. Any lapse in concentration due to fatigue can easily contribute to an accident.
Failing to properly maintain a vehicle can contribute to truck accidents. Because of their larger size, trucks require larger brakes and stronger engines. The wear and tear this can cause on the vehicle require regular tune-ups and brake upkeep. Some trucking companies fail to maintain their equipment to save on these expenses, while others are simply unable to keep up with the maintenance demands that these vehicles require.
Our semi-truck accident lawyers have found that speeding is often a contributing factor in truck crashes. Again, with the added mass and weight of large trucks, it takes an enormous amount of braking force to slow them down. When a speed limit is ignored or a driver is simply going too fast for the road conditions, it takes a significant amount of time to reduce the speed of a tractor-trailer. Any other vehicles in a semi’s path can easily become a target.
The way in which cargo is stored on a truck is essential in preventing an accident. When a large vehicle turns or follows the curves of a road it will have a tendency to affect the movement of what’s inside. If cargo is improperly secured it’s more likely to shift and affect the balance of the vehicle. This often occurs while maneuvering through on ramps and off ramps when shifting cargo can pull a truck over. It’s important that all cargo is properly secured before a truck departs for its destination. A truck accident law firm will seek a truck’s manifest to help determine what cargo the truck was carrying at the time of a crash to help determine if it contributed to the accident.
Our Hollywood best truck accident lawyers are here to help. We understand the ramifications of a serious crash and know that any injury following an accident can be serious. Working hard to secure your compensation, Schlacter Law has helped our clients receive millions in compensation. Call us today for a consultation.
More often than not the types of injuries involved in truck crashes are serious. These types of injuries include:
Broken bones and sprains Severe head trauma Brain injuries Spinal injuries Amputation Scarring Burns DeathWhen a semi collides with another vehicle, the forces are immense. With some trucks weighing as much as 80,000 pounds, any collision can create serious injuries. Often when a car is involved in a tractor-trailer accident the force of the accident can crush the car, trapping its occupants and causing serious harm. Broken bones and cuts are just some of the results.
Spinal injuries and traumatic brain injuries also occur frequently with truck crashes. When part of a car’s frame is crushed it can easily be forced inward into the passenger area. If the passenger’s head is in the path of the frame it can cause serious harm. Additionally, these forces are sometimes enough to completely sever a limb, resulting in amputations and serious scarring. And even when an amputation is not a direct cause of the accident, complications arising from these types of injuries can result in such severe damage that a limb needs to be removed to save the victim.
In addition, when trucks and cars are both involved in accidents often a fire can create a dangerous situation. Most semis carry their fuel in tanks mounted under the driver’s cab, easily exposed in a crash. If these tanks are ruptured fires and explosions can occur, causing burns and scarring on the crash victims.
If you were injured in a truck crash, call a truck injury lawyer today. We have the experience necessary to evaluate a claim and help determine the types of compensation that might be available to you. Schlacter Law has helped our clients recover from serious accidents. Let us help you too.
There are three types of compensation a Hollywood semi-truck lawyer can assist in recovering. These include:
Economic damages Non-economic damages Punitive damagesThe known costs associated with a crash are considered economic damages. This might include any medical bills related to the accident, including ambulance fees, hospital charges, and doctor visits. Any of these costs related to the crash would be added up and considered part of economic damages.
Some types of damages are harder to calculate. These include the long-term costs associated with the accident, such as long-term medical care and rehabilitation that may continue for months or years. In addition, there are some types of injuries that are hard to put a dollar value on. This might include pain and suffering and emotional stress, as well as the dollar value put on the loss of a limb or permanent scarring. These damages are called non-economic damages.
When a Hollywood defendant’s actions were reckless, and without regard to the consequences, punitive damages might be awarded in an attempt to prevent this same behavior in the future. Typically, punitive damages are rare and occur in cases where the defendant’s behavior was grossly negligent.
Following a crash, be sure to talk with a big truck lawyer. We can help evaluate the circumstances following a crash and assist in determining the types and amounts of compensation that might be available to you. Call today for a consultation.
References
https://www.truckinfo.net/trucking/stats.htm ↩https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2017 ↩https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations ↩https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html ↩
Reviews