Truck Accidents Cause Serious Damage
If you or a loved one has been in a serious accident involving a semi-truck, you don’t want to hear statistics about how serious truck accidents can be, the lives they shatter and financial toil they leave behind. Instead, you want to hear how you are going to be able to move forward in your life – financially, physically and emotionally.
At King Law Firm, P.C., we understand the pain, turmoil and frustration you are going through – and we know how to help. For over 30 years, we have been fighting for the rights of motor vehicle accident injury victims throughout Sioux Falls, South Dakota and northern Iowa. Our focus is on winning and we won’t settle your case for less than what you’re due.
Common Causes Of Trucking Accidents
Trucking accidents often result in severe injuries and devastating losses. Many of these crashes are caused by preventable factors. Understanding the common causes can help determine liability and strengthen your claim for compensation.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, often pushing their limits to meet tight deadlines. Federal regulations require rest breaks and limit driving hours, but some drivers or trucking companies ignore these rules to increase profits. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times, impaired judgment and an increased risk of causing catastrophic accidents. If a trucking company is found to have committed driving hour log violations, they may be held liable for any accidents that occur as a result of driver fatigue, and may face significant fines and penalties.
Equipment Failure
Commercial trucks undergo significant wear and tear, making routine maintenance critical for safety. When brakes, tires, steering systems or other vital components fail, accidents can occur. Some trucking companies cut corners on maintenance, while defective parts from manufacturers can also contribute to equipment-related crashes. In fact, defective trucking equipment can be a major factor in many truck accidents. Determining liability may require an investigation into maintenance records and product defects.
Reckless Driving
Speeding, tailgating, aggressive lane changes and distracted driving are dangerous in any vehicle, but they become even more hazardous when an 80,000-pound truck is involved. Reckless truck drivers put everyone on the road at risk, and when an accident occurs due to negligence, they and their employers may be accountable. Reckless driving is often a symptom of a larger problem, such as inadequate training or supervision, which can be a sign of trucking company negligence.
Overloaded or Unsecured Loads
Trucks must adhere to strict weight limits, and their cargo must be secured properly to prevent shifting or falling debris. Overloaded trucks take longer to stop and are more prone to rollovers, while improperly secured loads can spill onto the road, causing serious multivehicle accidents. Trucking companies that fail to follow loading regulations can be held responsible for the resulting damage.
Car Accidents vs. Trucking Accidents
While both truck accidents and car accidents can lead to severe injuries, trucking accidents present unique challenges due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. A fully loaded semi truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – 20 times the weight of an average passenger car. This size disparity means truck accidents are far more likely to result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations and fatalities.
Legal claims involving trucking accidents are also significantly more complex than standard accident cases. Unlike car accidents, which typically involve only the drivers, truck accident liability can extend to multiple parties, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck manufacturer or parts supplier
- Third-party maintenance providers
- Cargo loading companies
Additionally, trucking companies and their insurers aggressively defend against claims to minimize their financial liability. They have teams of attorneys and accident investigators working against you from the moment the crash happens. This makes it essential to work with an experienced injury attorney who understands federal trucking regulations, industry standards and the tactics used by insurance companies to reduce or deny compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, don’t face the legal battle alone. The experienced team at King Law Firm, P.C., is ready to fight for you and secure the compensation you deserve.
We Offer Serious Legal Help
When you have a lot at stake – your health, your financial well-being, your family’s stability – you need an attorney who works as hard as you do, takes your situation as seriously as you do and knows how to work within the legal system to get you the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.
This is especially true in truck accident cases. At King Law Firm, P.C., we can:
- Help you stand up against the big guys – After a truck accident, the truck driver has a team of experts already lined up in his corner – insurers, investigators, lawyers and union reps, to name a few. We have the experience you need to deal with this team of experts and understand what needs to be done to get results.
- Fully investigate the cause of the accident – Many truck accidents are caused by truck driver error. At King Law Firm, P.C., we will thoroughly investigate your case to determine if your injuries were caused by truck driver fatigue, improper truck maintenance, equipment failure or some other type of negligence.
- Help you recover just compensation – After a truck accident, many victims are offered quick settlement offers by the trucker’s representatives. Accepting a quick cash settlement, however, is often not the best course of action. Our attorneys will carefully review every aspect of your case to help you get fully compensated for your injuries.
We Will Fight For You
Tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and truck vs. car accidents can be extremely serious, and you deserve serious legal representation to protect your rights, recover the compensation you deserve and help you put the pieces of your life back together. At King Law Firm, P.C., our clients are more to us than just another case – we truly care about their well-being and their future. And “We Fight For You” is more than just our motto – it’s the truth.
To schedule a free consultation about your truck accident case, contact us online or call 855-201-0098 today.