Regular car accidents often pale in comparison to one’s involving trucks. The sheer weight of these vehicles traveling at high speeds can cause devastating damage to other vehicles and the people inside them. There is little wonder why trucking accidents cause serious injury at a higher rate than many other motor vehicle accidents we handle. If you have been injured in a trucking accident, it is important to consider your legal options. While you may suffer from serious injury, burdened by the loss of income and mounting medical bills, you could be entitled to damages depending on the facts of the case. There may be various parties responsible for your situation, including the driver, the company the driver works for, the manufacturer of the truck’s parts, and more. Contact our firm to discuss your legal matter. We will assess your case, guide you through your legal options and zealously fight for you. Contact Delaware Injury Law Firm for a consultation.
Causes of trucking accidents
Unfortunately, there are many variables to a trucking accident. With so many potentially liable parties, it is important to have an attorney review your case. Below is a small sample of causes for most trucking accidents.
- The driver: A trucker’s job is a stressful one. It is not easy to maintain productivity in the face of federal regulations. That being said, it is not right to put others at risk to satisfy one’s employer. For those transporting products, a driver can only drive 11 hours in a 14-hour workday. The workweek has been restricted from 82 hours to 70 hours. While these restrictions were put in place to protect the rights of the driver and the safety of everyone on the road, some truckers act negligently on the roads to keep up with their schedule, leading to dangerous situations.
- The truck: Driving a truck is difficult. With a massive weight and limited visibility, trucks are inherently dangerous. A truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds with a full load. With a length of around 60 feet, a truck driving 65 mph would need over 500 feet to come to a complete stop. In addition, with limited visibility and significant blind spots, a trucker who is driving negligently can easily cause a serious accident.
- Mechanical problems: Not only are trucks dangerous, they are susceptible to mechanical problems that can be hazardous to others on the road. A truck should be monitored for issues on a regular basis. While some problems are unavoidable, others are not. Tire blowouts, brake issues, and sudden breakdowns can be the result of negligence by the driver, company that owns the vehicle, or a defective part leading to a product liability claim.
Compensation
As stated above, finding the responsible parties is complex. These cases deserve a thorough investigation. If you were injured because of negligence, you could be entitled to economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include lost wages, medical bills, and other financial effects of the accident. In some cases, you could also be entitled to compensation for the emotional effects of the accident, called noneconomic damages.
Contact an experienced Delaware personal injury law firm
Being seriously injured in a truck accident can be devastating. Our firm works closely with clients to develop a legal strategy that meets their needs. This starts with a free consultation and a thorough investigation into the matter. If you are the victim and deserve compensation for the effects of your accident, contact our firm today.