Maumee Semi-Truck and Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer
Sharing the highway with massive semi-trucks and tractor-trailers can be daunting. As Semi truck accident lawyers in Maumee, we know that standard cars and trucks are no match for these massive commercial cargo transporters in an accident. Several factors make commercial truck accidents different from any other, including the truck size, weight distribution, center of gravity, vehicle components, braking distance, and cargo volatility. If you’ve been seriously injured by a commercial motor vehicle and you were not at fault, you are entitled to fair compensation. Contacting a semi-truck accident lawyer in Maumee, Ohio as soon as possible will help you navigate the complexities associated with these accident settlements.
Commercial Fleet Insurance Companies
The insurance companies used by commercial trucking companies have impressive legal resources at their disposal to protect their client’s assets. Even when a semi-truck driver is at fault in an accident, the insurance company and their lawyers will do everything they can to pay out the smallest settlements possible. A full legal team alongside an insurance company working against an accident victim who is still recovering isn’t what we consider a fair match. It’s important for you to know you don’t have to fight this on your own. An experienced commercial truck accident lawyer will help you build your case for a successful outcome.
Top 6 Most Common Truck Accident Scenarios
Knowing how tractor-trailers most often crash can help you avoid a collision, but even knowing what to watch out for isn’t a guarantee you will be able to avoid a crash. Below are the 6 most common semi-truck accident scenarios to be aware of when driving near big rigs.
1. Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife related incident occurs when the trailer and truck cab move in different directions, forming a 90 degree angle at the point where they connect.
This may occur when the truck driver pumps the brakes too hard on a slippery, icy road, causing the trailer to swing wide after the driver tries to stop. Poor judgment of downhill grades and rough road surfaces can lead to a jackknife situation as well.
Always give semi-trucks additional space during inclement weather, on steep downhill inclines, and in places where gravel and road debris can cause hazardous conditions for large trucks. Never ride alongside them in these conditions if you can avoid it. Remain at least three seconds (or more) ahead of or behind these larger vehicles.
2. Rollovers
A rollover happens when a truck rolls over onto its side or roof. Accidents can occur from improperly loaded cargo, mechanical failure, tire mishaps, loss of vehicle control due to distraction, substance abuse, speeding, or poor truck handling.
When driving near a semi-truck, be aware of signs that the driver is not in complete control of the CMV. Watch out for truck drivers who are speeding, drifting in and out of lanes, or turning corners too fast
3. Wide Turn Accidents
It takes skill to safely turn a 70-foot-long vehicle with multiple moving parts. Truck drivers lacking proper training, practice, and licensing can lead to trouble and increase the chances of a serious accident occurring.
To successfully make a 90-degree right turn, a truck must occupy two lanes of traffic to complete the wide turn the vehicle requires. Unlike a smaller car, turning from the right lane is not possible for most large commercial vehicles. Trying to attempt a turn too fast or within too tight a space can cause a collision or rollover.
4. Tire Blowouts
The tires on a 40-ton vehicle that travels thousands of miles a week experience heavy wear and tear. When tires aren’t changed or rotated when needed, they are highly susceptible to explosion.
Whether a tire blowout happens from a manufacturing defect or improper truck maintenance, the results are often catastrophic. An accident caused by a tire blowout is almost impossible for fellow drivers to anticipate and avoid. Blowouts are often sudden and unexpected, causing the driver to lose control without warning. There are many reasons to avoid driving in the lane beside a tractor-trailer; the risk of a tire explosion being one.
5. Rear-End Collisions
It’s unsafe to travel alongside a truck in the adjacent lane for any long distance, and it’s equally unsafe to allow a truck to get too close to your rear bumper. If a truck is tailgating you, the vehicle may not have adequate time to stop should you need to break quickly. Rear-end collisions happen when vehicle operators don’t consider braking times and distances carefully.
A typical passenger vehicle driving at 65 mph generally requires about 300 feet to stop. A fully loaded 18-wheeler requires double that distance. If traveling in front or behind a large commercial truck and you notice the driver is riding your bumper, pull over and let them pass to avoid risking a severe accident.
6. Underride/Override Accidents
Like a rear-end collision, an underride/override accident occurs when a smaller vehicle becomes trapped underneath the semi truck. In an underride scenario, a car can slide under the back of a trailer if a semi truck stops abruptly in front of it. In contrast, in an override scenario, the car is crushed under the front of a truck cab that can’t stop in time, rolling over the vehicle in front of it.
These scenarios can result in devastating, serious, and sometimes fatal injuries. Maintaining a safe following and leading distance of at least three seconds is important to highway safety when traveling near 18-wheelers.
What to Do After a Maumee Truck Accident
Even with in-depth knowledge of common truck collision scenarios, and efforts to avoid an accident, a semi truck accident can happen. Despite your best efforts to stay safe on the roads of Maumee, Ohio, you can still be hurt by another driver’s negligence. If you’re injured because of a semi-truck or tractor-trailer accident that wasn’t your fault, seek the advice of an experienced commercial truck accident attorney right away.
Semi-truck accidents cases are complex, and you need a trusted attorney on your side to guide you through the legal process. If you’ve been injured and are recovering from severe injuries, you need to know your options, and you’ll need help determining a fair settlement offer.
Do not attempt to go through it alone.
Truck accident injuries can result in significant recovery and medical expenses including past and future medical care. You may also be faced with lost wages and property damage to worry about. With our Fair & Square Fee Guarantee, we promise that when your case is resolved, our attorney fee will never exceed your net recovery.
Arthur Law Firm Fair & Square Fee Guarantee
Arthur Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you pay nothing upfront. Our Fair & Square Fee Guarantee is our commitment to you that once your case is resolved, our fee will not exceed your net recovery.
If you were involved in an accident with a semi-truck in Maumee, Ohio, don’t talk to their insurance company and legal team without a trusted semi truck accident attorney by your side. We’d like to help you through the process and get you the settlement you deserve to move forward and put this behind you. At Arthur Law Firm, we fight hard for victim’s rights because we believe no one should be financially burdened by an accident that wasn’t their fault, and we’ll make sure you understand all the details of your case. Adequate compensation through a fair settlement is the least you deserve, and we’re here to help guide and support you through the legal process. Contact us by calling (419) 782-9881 for a free consultation today.
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