TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Truck accidents involving commercial trucks, can be catastrophic to occupants in passenger vehicles as a result of what may seem like an insignificant driving error that would occurred without consequence among other passenger vehicles. Yet, every year there are over 400,000 accidents that involve large commercial box trucks, tractor-trailer combinations, tanker trucks, or other vehicles used in the business of transporting commercial goods. Of these, there are an average of more than 10 fatalities that happen daily.

With a typically fully loaded large truck weighing more than 80,000 pounds compared to the average passenger vehicle weighing around 3,000 pounds, traffic accidents involving any combination of these vehicles will more often than not cause serious injuries and even death. Usually these accidents may be caused in part by the truck's characteristics and performance capabilities which can include certain limitations that are associated with visibility, braking, and acceleration together with the car driver's lack of knowledge about these capabilities. It still remains the truck driver's responsibility to fully be aware of the truck's abilities and always drive with caution especially when travelling on roads that are traveled mostly by small passenger vehicles.

Should the driver be found at fault in an accident, recovery in a personal injury action by the injured party can include compensation for the injuries, as well as, for loss of any earning capacity that is the result of the accident. In some very limited circumstances, should hazardous materials be in the cargo of the truck, and the shipper has failed to make the driver or the trucking company aware of the hazardous material contained in the freight, then the shipper may also be held accountable.

With all the specific details that surround accidents that involve commercial trucks, and the laws governing these vehicles being quite particular and encompassing several areas, click here to find out more information about how to pursue a case.