When a truck driver is responsible for an accident that results in the injury of another party, it is important that that truck driver is held responsible. Truck drivers are meant to follow strict regulations, speed limits, and other safety protocols designed to prevent them from hurting others on the road. When a truck driver behaves negligently, such as when driving while distracted, fatigued, or driving under the influence, deadly consequences can occur.
A truck accident lawyer from Tatum & Atkinson, “the Heavy Hitters,” can assist if you or a loved one was killed or seriously injured by a commercial vehicle. Every year, commercial trucks cause thousands of injuries to Americans, leaving their families to deal with costly medical expenses, potential permanent injuries, and lost wages. For your free, no-obligation consultation, call us at (800) 529-0804 or contact us online today. We have obtained multi-million dollar settlements for many truck accident injury victims, and we are eager to put our 65 years of combined experience to work for you.
How Many Truck Accidents Happen a Year
In North Carolina, in 2021, over 16,300 truck crashes were reported, resulting in over 150 fatalities and over 3,800 injuries, many of which were preventable. Sadly, annual trucking accidents are on the rise. While America relies on its commercial trucks to support our modern economy, sadly, things can go wrong, and commercial truck driving can lead to an accident that may cause catastrophic harm due to the weight and size of the vehicle.
Truck Accident Statistics
- According to the FMCSA, since 2020, fatalities involving large trucks have increased by 13%.
- Commercial truck accidents were most often caused by distracted driving and speeding.
- ⅓ of fatal crashes involving a commercial truck occurred at night
- Most collisions involving commercial trucks occurred on weekdays.
- 60% of commercial truck collisions occurred in rural environments.
- In workplace accidents, around ¼ of fatalities were due to commercial trucks.
Semi Truck Accident
Like any other vehicle collision, semi truck accidents are most commonly caused by distracted driving, speeding, driving while under the influence, fatigue, or other forms of driving negligence, such as disobeying traffic laws. However, a commercial truck has a significantly higher risk of causing great harm due to its weight and size. In addition, commercial trucks are dangerous due to the following:
- Trucks having heavier weight makes their impact capacity much greater
- Trucks require a longer distance to stop than a passenger vehicle
- Trucks have a high center of gravity that makes them more prone to flipping
- Trucks have larger blind spots
- The potential to have unsecured or inadequately secured loads
Most collisions involving large trucks and semis are quite hazardous by nature and may have disastrous results. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, fatalities or serious life-altering injuries occurred in nearly 50% of large truck accidents involving injuries. All collisions involving a big truck have the potential to result in serious, sometimes fatal injuries, and they frequently involve a lengthy healing process.
Truck Accident Liability
The truck driver or the trucking company are frequently at fault in crashes involving large trucks. Typical causes for accidents involving negligence may include:
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving when distracted
- Lack of adequate maintenance
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Poor hiring practices
- Breaking traffic laws
18 Wheeler Accident
A person is killed or injured by a truck in the United States every 16 minutes, and over 90,000 people are injured each year by 18-wheeler trucks. Sadly, fatal collisions involving large trucks are rising in the US. Accidents involving 18-wheelers frequently result in severe injuries that may require a lengthy recovery period from; other injuries may be permanent. The victims of truck accidents who sustain injuries may be left with astronomical medical bills, lost wages, mental anguish, and in some cases funeral costs. Economic and/or non-economic damages, such as diminished earning capacity, emotional trauma, loss of companionship, and others, may be included in a successful personal injury lawsuit.
Why Is An Accident With An 18 Wheeler So Dangerous?
Collisions involving 18 wheelers are particularly dangerous and often lead to severe injuries or fatalities. 18 wheeler accidents are dangerous due to the following factors:
Load Capacity
An 18-wheeler truck may weigh 400 tons, or 80,000 pounds, when fully loaded. The weight of an 18-wheeler is 20 times that of the majority of cars. Serious injury, property damage, and even fatalities may result from an 18-wheeler’s heavy weight striking another vehicle.
They Are The Largest Vehicles on the Road
Up to 176 feet in length, 18-wheeler vehicles are nearly 10 times longer than the typical car.
They Require Longer Time to Stop
18-wheeler trucks are so large, heavy, and long that stopping them generally takes around 40% longer than stopping a typical automobile.
They Have Significant Blind Spots
18-wheelers, in contrast to many other types of vehicles, have significant blind spots. Large blind spots may easily contribute to an accident if the truck driver is unable to spot a nearby vehicle.
Tractor-Trailer Accident
Thorough investigations into tractor-trailer accidents are frequently necessary, as these accident cases are often complex. The scene of the accident, the vehicles involved, the trucker’s log, the records of the transportation company, and other elements are typically examined during investigations. There may also be expert testimony, witness testimony, and accident reconstruction evidence introduced to support a claim. Time is of the essence in these types of lawsuits since insurance companies and trucking firms frequently have access to tremendous resources and will conduct their own investigations. To achieve the best outcome, you’ll need investigators to gather and preserve important evidence. Our tractor-trailer accident attorneys will:
- Respond to any inquiries you might have
- Assist you through the legal process
- Aid you in recovering lost wages and paying medical expenses
- Assist you in getting important information from the trucking company
- Assist you in investigating and preserving key evidence
- Assist you in ensuring your rights are protected
A tractor trailer accident lawyer with in-depth knowledge of the numerous laws and regulations that truckers and their businesses must abide by can help assess if a breach of these laws and regulations contributed to your accident. In order to fully depict any carelessness committed by the opposing party, our lawyers can also collect, examine, and interpret critical information from the trucking company. You can trust the law firm of Tatum & Atkinson when you’re seeking a tractor trailer accident lawyer in North Carolina.
North Carolina Truck Accident Attorney
We at Tatum & Atkinson, “the Heavy Hitters,” work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t pay anything unless we win and you will not incur any out-of-pocket costs. As your attorneys, we will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to make sure that all responsible parties are located and gather the evidence required to prove their negligence.
Maintaining an advantage over the opposing party(s) is crucial to obtain the greatest results. We will look into the accident, speak with witnesses, examine accident reports and medical records, consult with specialists, and, if necessary, make sure that supporting evidence is preserved. With insurers, we can skillfully and aggressively negotiate a settlement that fairly compensates you for the damages you have endured. Having a skilled attorney on your side will help you secure the best possible outcome for your claim. Call us at (800) 529-0804 or send us a message online to get your free case review and see how we can help you.
