Why Truck Accidents are Different
Not Your Average Fender Bender
From parkways to parking lots, and side streets to interstates, commercial trucks are a common part of the roadway. As the trucking industry grows, more of these vehicles hit the road every day, and with more trucks come more truck accidents.
These vehicles, also known as semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, big rigs, and 18-wheelers, can cause immense damage and catastrophic injury when involved in an auto accident.
If you have been hurt, or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, call the Missouri truck accident lawyers at The S.E. Farris Law Firm today. Call 314-A-LAWYER (314-252-9937) for a free consultation and to speak to a personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling cases involving truck accidents.
Why a Truck Accident is Different
Every year, approximately 500,000 truck accidents happen in the U.S., with approximately 5,000 of those accidents involving fatalities. Because of the difference in size, an accident with a truck can be significantly worse than an accident involving only passenger vehicles. The average car is 16-feet long and weighs 4,000 lbs.; the average truck is 70-feet long and weighs 80,000 lbs.
Bigger vehicles like trucks hit with much more force and energy than the average passenger car. Due to the higher energy involved in a truck crash, injuries sustained are typically more severe, which can mean greater physical pain and suffering, higher medical bills, increased lost wages due to a longer recovery, and/or decreased earning abilities for the driver and passengers of the smaller vehicle.
Complications of Truck Accidents
Because trucks can be so dangerous, the regulations surrounding their operation must be strict. And, since the trucking industry is so vast, trying to seek justice for a truck accident can be difficult.
Trucks are commercial vehicles working for commercial entities, and there are typically more parties than just the driver involved in a truck’s operation. When a truck causes an accident, which party is responsible? Is it the driver of the truck, the operator who owns the truck or trailer, the trucking company itself, or the employment agency who staffed the driver? The trend of brokerages hiring the lowest cost trucking company adds another layer to liability – knowingly hiring a cheaper and less safe trucking company exposes the motoring public to increased risk. Each of these parties may play a role in the operation of a given truck.
Depending on whether an accident was caused by driver fatigue, improper cargo loading, engine or brake malfunction, or even a defective roadway, these cases involve expertise beyond the normal car crash case.
The rules and regulations of the trucking industry are different and more specialized than basic driving laws. It takes specialized knowledge to understand if and how an involved party violated any of these rules, so it’s wise to consult with an attorney who is experienced in truck accidents.
Compensation for Truck Accidents
The strict regulations of the trucking industry are necessary in order to preserve the safety of others on the road. Truck drivers receive more rigid training than regular drivers and are insured with higher liability because of the potential damage that their equipment can cause. Being made up of drivers, most jurors don’t have much love for dangerous truck drivers.
Settlements for truck accidents are typically larger than auto accidents. If you are the victim of a truck accident, you may be entitled to a settlement that is based on several factors: medical bills (both current and future); lost wages, and lost or reduced future earning capacity; and present and future pain, suffering, and disability. Additionally, settlements may depend on how many defendants are involved, and the level of fault for each of them.
Contact a St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer
Between complex trucking regulations, circumstances behind the accident, the number of defendants involved, and the possibility of long-term and permanent injury, it is imperative to find a qualified truck accident lawyer. The St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers at The S.E. Farris Law Firm are experienced in truck accidents. If a truck driver or other party was completely or even partially at fault, we will fight to get the compensation for your financial and personal losses, such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, or the long-term care you deserve. Call 314-A-LAWYER (314-252-9937) today for a free consultation.