Submitted by Paul McConnell on
After two years in which a pandemic kept the majority of American car drivers homebound, motorists and truckers are now sharing highways and byways again on a regular basis. Increased traffic means a higher likelihood of truck traffic accidents. If you drive a passenger car, you need to give trucks a wide berth, since such large vehicles create high accident risks for everyone on the road.
The Doctor Lawyer Team wants to help protect you from serious accident injuries, property damage, and legal complications. Our veteran-owned Connecticut law firm combines ample legal and medical experience to defend your personal injury case in court.
Below, our experienced truck accident attorneys provide an overview of what you should know about truck wrecks and truck accidents..
What Can I Do to Avoid Being in a Truck Accident?
Commercial trucks are substantially larger than any other vehicle on the road, so understanding their dangers can help keep you safe. Here’s what you should know to stay out of harm’s way:
- Avoid the blind spot: When operating a large vehicle, truck drivers lose control over portions of their vision surrounding the back and side areas of the truck. For your safety, avoid driving in a truck’s blind spots as much as possible.
- Leave space: The larger the vehicle, the harder it is to control, especially when sharply turning or suddenly stopping. As a nearby driver, leave ample space for trucks to turn and stop.
- Avoid hazards: After spending a long shift behind the wheel, truck drivers may become distracted, doze off, or lose control. If you see a swerving truck, keep your distance and call the local police.
What Percentage of Fatalities Do Trucks Cause?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were approximately 510,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks in 2019 (note that this was the year before COVID-19 lockdowns were in place). Of that number, there were 4,479 fatal crashes (1%) and 114,000 injury crashes (29%).
As one would expect, most deaths in truck accidents happen to people who were not riding in the truck. In the truck crashes of 2019, the largest percentage of fatalities (82%) were passenger vehicle occupants, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation that was analyzed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
As the IIHS notes, “Trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in crashes.”
What Are Some Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Understanding what causes truck wrecks can help you avoid them. You cannot stop all accidents, though preventive measures can help you stay out of a barrelling truck’s path.
- Malfunctioning parts: Faulty or failing mechanical parts are one of the main leading causes of truck accidents. The best way to avoid this is by keeping your distance from nearby trucks. If you see smoke or smell a strange odor, call the local police.
- Vehicle weight: The truck’s massive size makes it difficult to control speed, turns, and stops. Avoid sudden braking, maintain a safe distance, and follow the speed limit when driving near a truck.
- Speed and stopping distance: Large trucks require double the stopping distance of a regular vehicle, meaning that if you suddenly brake for traffic, you risk a rear-end accident. If you are being followed by a truck and there is another lane, try to move to that lane as soon as it is safe to do so.
Where and When Do Truck Accidents Happen?
The IIHS reports that most truck accidents in 2019 occured on major roads between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Most of these crashes happened on weekdays, particularly Thursdays.
You may not always be able to avoid driving at these times, though you can practice extra caution to avoid a catastrophic accident with a truck.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
Follow these steps if a truck collides with your car:
- Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately in necessary.
- Call 911 (emphasizing for a reason) so that the police will provide an objective report.
- Move your vehicle somewhere safe, if possible.
- Take photographs.
- Exchange insurance information.
- Do not speak with insurance adjusters until you contact a truck accident attorney.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
A truck accident lawyer can assist you by seeking maximum compensation to help cover your medical bills, property damage, and emotional suffering. A truck accident attorney will analyze your case, collect evidence, manage your claim, and advise you through all legal actions.
When Should I Start Searching for Truck Injury Attorneys?
After an accident involving a big rig, you should immediately begin searching for truck injury attorneys. Legal claims or lawsuits against trucking companies and their insurance companies can be complicated, so it is best to have a knowledgeable truck accident attorney on your side to navigate the process.
Put The Doctor Lawyer Team on Your Truck Accident Case
Your online search for a “truck accident attorney near me” has brought you to the right place: The Doctor Lawyer Team. We offer the medical background of a board-certified neurosurgeon and the legal experience of a former judge and federal prosecutor. We work hard on your behalf to seek the maximum compensation for your injuries. Additionally, our cases have impacted safety improvements in motor vehicles, so your case may help prevent future accidents from happening to anyone else.
Call us today at (860) 829-9467 or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we are paid only if we recover a settlement for you. We serve clients throughout Connecticut.
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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
