The many types of truck accidents you could get into can create catastrophic injuries that affect your life forever. When they occur, partnering with a reputable truck accident attorney can help you recover the compensation needed to provide financial stability during your recovery process.
At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we know that understanding what type of accident you are in won't take your pain away. However, it can help you be prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Let us help you understand what to expect in a truck collision and how our personal injury lawyers can help you when one happens.
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Common Truck Accidents
Rollovers
Trucks can tip or roll over when they turn corners too quickly, hit a curb or other obstacle, or when cargo is unevenly loaded. A rollover accident can cause severe injuries to the driver and others on the road, as well as significant property damage.
Underride Accidents
Despite federal regulations requiring underride guards on the back of commercial trucks, these accidents still occur when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the truck. The passenger vehicle is often put in this situation due to the trucker's negligent, reckless, or distracted driving.
Jackknife Accidents
Because commercial trucks are attached to trailers with a swinging hitch, there is a risk of the cargo hold swinging out in an L or V shape when the truck brakes suddenly. Known as a jackknife accident, these crashes can cause serious injuries and fatalities for anyone in the path of the truck.
Rear-End Collisions
Being hit from behind by a commercial truck has devastating consequences due to its large size and weight. Rear-end collisions happen for several reasons, including mechanical failures, intoxicated or fatigued drivers, and reckless driving behaviors.
Backing Accidents
Though truckers are trained to back up their vehicles safely, accidents can still occur due to blind spots and distractions. These accidents often involve backing into another vehicle or a pedestrian, causing serious injuries and even fatalities.
T-Bone Accidents
Reckless drivers or those passing through a section of road not clearly marked with truck traffic signs can cause severe T-bone accidents. When passenger vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians are hit by a truck in a T-bone collision, the results are often devastating.
Head On Collisions
Few truck accidents are as catastrophic as head-on collisions. These accidents occur when a truck crosses into oncoming traffic, often due to driver error or fatigue. Head-on collisions can result in severe injuries and fatalities for everyone involved.
Wide Turn Accidents
Trucks often need to swing wide when turning because of their large size and inability to make sharp turns. This can result in collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians in the truck's path, especially when the driver is Inexperienced, distracted, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
There are multiple causes of truck accidents. When these causes result from negligent, reckless, or careless actions, you may have the right to pursue compensation for the harm you've suffered.
Causes that may allow you to pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit with the help of a lawyer include:
- Distracted driving: Federal regulations ban distracted driving behaviors that take attention away from the road while behind the wheel. If you think your injuries resulted from a distracted driver, seek legal help now.
- Fatigued driving: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict hours-of-service guidelines for truckers. When these rules are ignored, fatigued driving accidents occur. A lawyer can help you understand how these regulations may impact your compensation claim.
- Inexperienced or negligent drivers: When trucking companies hire inexperienced, untrained, or careless drivers, accidents are more likely to happen. If you were harmed by a driver unfit for the job, a lawyer can help you understand your legal rights.
- Equipment failure: Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining their vehicles and ensuring they are safe for drivers and others on the road. When known equipment failures, such as brake or tire defects, cause an accident, the trucking company may be liable for any resulting injuries or damages.
- Improper loading: Overloading or improperly loading cargo can significantly impact a truck's stability and increase the risk of accidents. If you were involved in a collision caused by improper loading, a lawyer can help you gather evidence to support your claim.
- Intoxication: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense that can result in catastrophic accidents. If you were injured in a truck accident caused by an intoxicated driver, a lawyer can help you pursue compensation from both the driver and their employer.
This list is far from exhaustive, but it highlights the importance of hiring a truck accident lawyer when you believe someone else's negligence caused your injuries.
What Injuries Do Truck Crashes Cause?
Truck collision injuries are often more severe than those sustained in a car accident involving personal passenger vehicles. Injuries you may have suffered based on the type of truck accident you were in include:
- Rear-end collisions: These accidents often cause whiplash, soft tissue injuries, blunt Force head trauma, and spinal cord damage.
- Head-on collisions: Severe head, neck, and chest injuries are common in head-on accidents, along with potentially permanent brain damage or death.
- Underride accidents: Passenger vehicle occupants trapped under a truck often suffer fatal injuries such as crushed bones, internal bleeding, amputation, and internal organ damage.
- Jackknife accidents: These high-impact collisions can result in multiple fractures, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord trauma.
- Backing accidents: Being backed into by a truck can leave lasting injuries no matter how fast the vehicle goes. The most common Injuries in These types of accidents include broken bones, whiplash, and spinal cord damage.
- Wide-turn accidents: Collisions with a truck while turning can result in severe injuries to any part of the body. They can also result in being crushed between the truck and another vehicle or object, causing amputation or death.
- Rollover accidents: Being thrown about or crushed by a rollover truck is often the cause of fatalities in these accidents. Survivors may suffer internal organ damage, broken bones, and head or spinal injuries.
- T-bone accidents: Along with severe brain and head injuries, t-bone collisions can also result in crushed limbs, permanent scarring, and other life-changing injuries.
These injuries significantly diminish your ability to earn a living, maintain healthy relationships, and live a full life. If you believe your injuries were caused by someone else's negligence in a truck accident, seek medical attention and legal assistance to recover compensation for the harm you've suffered.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Worth?
A lawyer can review the circumstances of your accident to help you understand the value of a claim or lawsuit. Compensation you may be able to recover for economic and non-economic damages including but not limited to:
- Current and future medical expenses such as hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation services. The cost of medical bills arising from these accidents can total millions of dollars over a lifetime. A lawyer can help ensure those costs are factored into your settlement or verdict.
- Lost wages and loss of future earning potential due to injuries that prevent you from returning to work or limit your ability to perform specific job duties. Your lawyer can advocate for these funds to be included in your compensation.
- Pain and suffering from any physical discomfort, emotional distress, or mental anguish resulting from the accident. These damages are difficult to quantify, but a lawyer can help you determine an appropriate amount based on the type of truck accident and the circumstances that caused it.
- Property damage, such as repairs or replacement of your vehicle and other personal belongings damaged in the accident. Your lawyer can assist you in documenting these costs to ensure they are included in your settlement.
- End-of-life costs, such as funeral or burial expenses if the accident directly led to a loved one's death. Navigating these damages is emotionally taxing, and a lawyer can provide compassionate legal support during this difficult time.
- Loss of consortium or companionship damages if the collision causes a strain on your relationship with a spouse, partner, or other family member. Your lawyer can help you understand and seek compensation for this non-economic damage.
You may also be eligible for punitive damages that punish the at-fault party for their reckless or intentional actions that led to the accident. A lawyer can assist you in determining if this type of compensation is available in your case.
When Do I Need A Truck Accident Lawyer?
Any type of truck accident will likely require the help of an experienced lawyer, especially when:
- You sustained severe or permanent injuries that required medical attention and resulted in a disability or significant impact on your life.
- The accident was caused by someone else's negligence, such as a truck driver, their employer, or another party responsible for maintaining the truck.
- You have evidence to support your claim of damages and liability. This can include police reports, witness statements, photographs of the accident scene and injuries, and medical records.
Because of the tight filing deadlines and complex legal processes involved in these cases, hiring a lawyer sooner rather than later could significantly improve your chances of recovering maximum compensation for the harm you've suffered.
So, whenever any truck collision threatens to upend your life, seek support and guidance from a reputable personal injury law firm.
Who Is Financially Responsible For My Truck Accident Injuries?
Depending on the type of truck accident you were in, multiple parties may be liable for your injuries, including:
- The truck driver: If the trucker's actions caused the accident, they may be held accountable for any resulting damages. This is often the case with accidents caused by speeding, reckless driving, fatigue, or operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- The trucking company: The trucking company may be liable for damages resulting from their employee's actions. This is often the case when the collision was caused by a lack of proper training, poor vehicle maintenance, or scheduling pressures that caused the driver to violate safety regulations.
- The truck manufacturer: If a mechanical failure or defect in the truck led to the accident, you may be able to hold the manufacturer responsible for any resulting injuries. This is often the case with rollover accidents caused by tire blowouts or brake failures.
- Other third parties: Other parties may bear liability for the type of truck accident you were in. This is usually the case when a third party, such as a contractor, cargo loader, government entity, or mechanic, played a role in the accident due to negligence or failure to follow safety protocols.
A personal injury lawyer can help you identify and hold all responsible parties accountable for the harm they have caused you or your loved ones. Without the help of a truck accident attorney, you may find it challenging to pursue all available avenues of compensation, causing further strain to an already traumatizing situation.
Truck Accident Lawyers at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy Can Help You Recover Compensation For Your Injuries
Knowing the different types of truck accidents won't stop you from falling victim to one. But when you do, our truck accident lawyers at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy will stand by your side and fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.
With decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases, our team can help you understand your rights and build a strong case for compensation. We understand the overwhelming toll these accidents create and are committed to providing compassionate legal support every step of the way.
Don't let a truck accident ruin your life. Contact O'Connor, Acciani & Levy online or at (513)-496-3841 to learn how we can help you move forward after a devastating collision. O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, attorneys you know, attorneys you trust.
