Those who get into a vehicle and drive on the road every day to get where they need to go, must always keep safety in mind. When an accident occurs and involve trucks, the damage and loss can be insurmountable. Any driver who has been next to a truck as it swerved or sped by, can understand how scary such a crash could be. Here in the article below, we have answered a few major questions people may have about truck accidents specifically.
What exactly is a truck accident?
A truck accident refers to any collision which involves a commercial truck and a passenger car or motorcyclist. Commercial trucks can be seen on the road as garbage trucks, delivery trucks, tractor trailers, gasoline trucks, and others.
What makes truck accidents different from car collisions?
There are multiple factors that could contribute to how the truck accident occurred, including truck driver negligence or faulty machinery. Additionally, there may be others who become part of the claim besides just the driver, depending on who owns the truck and who is responsible for maintenance. Truck accidents tend to be tragic, causing more injury and loss compared to other types of collisions. This is due to the sheer size of the truck and that it can cause much more damage than a standard passenger car.
Why is a truck accident more serious than other types of collisions?
The average commercial truck can weigh around 70,000 pounds. In comparison, the average passenger vehicle weighs around 3,000-4,000 pounds. Due to this difference in weight, a truck can cause substantial devastation in the event of a crash. Injuries tend to be more severe for the passenger car driver or motorcyclist as well, due to the impact of this immense weight.
What are common injuries for those hit by a truck driver?
If you or a loved one is hit by a truck driver, you should call the police and request medical attention right away. It is likely that you sustained some sort of injury, as walking away from such a blow with no injuries at all is quite rare. Common injuries for those who have been hit by a truck are listed as follows:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cuts and bruising
- Broken bones
- Crushed extremities
- Whiplash
- Neck and back injuries
- Emotional Trauma
- Sprains and ligament tears
- Facial wounds
Should I consider meeting with an attorney about the accident?
If you sustained injuries that cost you money, you may want to meet with an attorney as soon as possible. You may have a large stack of medical bills awaiting payment, or vehicle damage repairs that you have to save up to pay off. You should not have to suffer because a truck driver caused a collision which you happened to be a part of. Consider meeting with a truck accident lawyer Lakeland, FL trusts promptly after the incident, to find out more about filing a lawsuit against the driver or company for compensation.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at David & Philpot, PL for their insight into trucking accidents.