While they only comprise 4 percent of total vehicles on the road, semi-trucks are responsible for frequent and catastrophic accidents. They are involved in around half a million accidents every year in the US, resulting in injuries or deaths approximately every 15 minutes. In 2017, almost 5,000 individuals were killed in semi-truck accidents, and tens of thousands were injured.
Compared to car accidents, semi-truck accidents tend to be much more serious due to their sheer size and weight. Where a regular passenger vehicle only weighs around two and a half tons, semi-trucks with full cargo loads can surpass 40 tons. This means they require greater stopping distance, even more if the cargo is improperly loaded, so they tend to hit cars at higher rates of speed with greater impact, leaving occupants with devastating, often fatal, injuries.
According to statistics, most semi-truck accidents result from mechanical defects, particularly those involving issues with tires or brakes. Steering wheel defects are common, as well, and the electronic systems that have been recently incorporated in many semi-trucks pose another risk for malfunctioning.
After mechanical defects, drivers cause most semi-truck accidents themselves. This takes the form of improper loading or maintenance of the vehicle and driver fatigue, inexperience, or errors such as speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, careless or aggressive driving, and driving under the influence.
Semi-truck accidents are much more complicated to navigate legally than car accidents. A law firm experienced in these types of cases can thoroughly investigate the accident and its causes, including gathering information about manufacturing recalls, consulting company records, and analyzing the driver’s trucking logs, safety record, and licensing.
Personal injury cases in semi-truck accidents usually involve several insurance companies as defendants, not only the truck driver and his company but possibly the manufacturer if mechanical defects or failure caused the accident. Such complex cases require considerable legal work to determine liability and ensure compensation for victims.
Extensive medical treatment and mounting medical bills further complicate these cases. Semi-truck collisions often result in severe injuries or disability, including head and neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), burns, broken bones, amputations, and life-long damage to spinal cords. Determining liability means your law firm will resolve economic damages from medical care, income loss, loss of earning potential, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
When attempting to gain compensation for a semi-truck accident injury, you must choose a law firm with the knowledge, experience, and skills to take on such a difficult, comprehensive case.
At Arthur Law Firm Co., LPA, our proven personal injury process guides you through every step in handling your claim—helping you address your medical bills, making sure you understand your options for vehicle repair or replacement, and handling insurance adjusters to ensure you receive full, fair compensation.
As a semi-truck accident law firm in Northwest Ohio, we have spent 50 years working for clients just like you. We offer free consultations and charge no attorney fees unless your case is settled or won. If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident, contact us at (419) 782-9881 or by email at attorneys@arthurlawfirm.com. Our attorneys are ready to assist you in making sure you receive the settlement you deserve.