Getting into a semi-truck or 18-wheeler collision in Lawrenceville can lead to serious consequences, leaving victims of the accident wondering where to turn next. The huge differences in weight and size of these trucks versus regular vehicles means the accidents are likely to be more extreme. If you or someone you love was injured in an accident with ones of these huge trucks, you shouldn’t have to face the case alone. Speak with a Lawrenceville semi-truck & 18-wheeler accident lawyer today.
Our attorneys are experienced in working on trucking accident cases, and we know how to help. These types of cases can be complicated and extreme, so it’s important to work with a lawyer who knows how to handle them and get the best outcome for you and your family. Let us take the reigns and guide you through this difficult time. For a FREE consultation, give us a call today at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to speak to us about your case.
What are the most common types of truck accidents?
Since semi-trucks are so huge, their accidents typically involve problems related to their size. Some of the most common truck accidents that occur involve:
- Jackknifes: When the truck folds into an angle, much resembling a partly open pocket knife. This can happen when the truck skids so that the back is pushed from behind and spins around towards the front of the truck. Jackknifing can be caused by improper braking, equipment failure, or icy roads or other bad road conditions. In rare by serious circumstances, the truck driver may have brake failure and jackknife to try and stop the vehicle.
- Rollovers: Rollovers occur when the front wheels of the semi-truck or 18-wheeler turn the truck more quickly can the rest of it can turn, causing the vehicle to roll over. Rollovers are especially likely with truck accidents because these vehicles have a high center of gravity, making rolling more common. Causes of rollover can include driving too fast when going around a curve, sudden changes in steering to avoid an obstacle or other vehicle, truck driver error (such as driving too fast for road conditions or using a mobile device while driving), or having cargo that was improperly loaded or secured.
- Tire blowouts: When a tire bursts accompanied by rapid loss of air pressure. Tire blowouts can happen if the trucking company or truck driver failed to keep up with tire maintenance, repair, and replacement or failed to inspect the tires regularly. Other factors that can lead to blowouts include under inflated tires, potholes, low or not tire thread, excessive braking, or overloading of cargo.
- Squeeze play: Because 18-wheeler and semis are so huge—weighing up to 80,000 pounds—their drivers have to be very careful about making sharp turns. To avoid rollover, truck drivers often swing to the left slightly before making a right turn. This can make car drivers think the truck is turning left instead of right, causing the car driver to try passing the huge truck on the right. As a result, they can end up “squeezed” in between the truck’s trailer and the side of the road. This is known as “squeeze play.”
Each of these accident types can lead to severe or even fatal injuries.
What kinds of injuries do truck accidents cause?
Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers are enormous, which means the injuries resulting from truck accidents can be much more extreme than a typical motor vehicle accident.
Injuries from truck accidents can include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Head injuries
- Internal injuries like internal organ bleeding from blunt trauma
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Seat belt injuries causing whiplash and more
- Rib and torso injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Wrongful deaths
While any vehicle accident cause these types of injuries, they tend to be much more severe in truck accidents. There are several reasons for this:
- It takes longer for truck to accelerate, turn and stop than other vehicles. This means trucks are more likely to be involved in rear-end accidents and can cause accidents when speeding up to switch lanes and merge into traffic.
- Semi-trucks also have bigger blind spots, which can be dangerous if the truck driver can’t see surrounding passenger vehicles.
- Trucks may have hazardous materials like chemicals, batteries, and heavy boxes. In a crash, these items can be dangerous and lead to life-threatening injuries and fatalities.
Even with these dangers, one of the most commons reasons for semi-truck accidents is the truck drivers themselves. The drivers of these trucks are consistently pressured to meet certain deadlines while following strict rules regarding how often they can take breaks and how long they can drive. To meet deadlines, breaks to rest or sleep may be skipped in order to make up time. This leads to drowsy and exhausted truck drivers who may be less aware of what’s happening on the roads.
What should I know if I’ve been injured in a truck accident?
Right after the truck accident occurs, you’ll want to call the local police so they can file a police report. Also, if you’ve been injured and require medical attention, get it immediately. And document your injuries by taking pictures, if you can. These details will help you in your case.
You should also know the insurance company of the at fault party (could be the truck’s owner, driver’s, or maintenance company’s insurance) will send their analysts to the accident scene to investigate. They’ll be gathering as much information as possible with the goal of limiting any potential liability for them. This is why you’ll want to contact a semi-truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident occurs. Your lawyer will be able to investigate themselves on your behalf.
It’s also important to not discuss the accident or any injuries with anyone besides your car accident attorney and the physician treating you. Insurers may try to get information to use against you or try to agree to a low-ball settlement offer, so avoid talking about the incident or accepting any offers without your attorney present.
Talk to a Lawrenceville Semi-Truck & 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for Free
Semi-truck and 18-wheeler accidents can be especially severe, causing pain and suffering for the victims. If you or a loved one has been in one of these accidents, you shouldn’t have to handle it alone. Our attorneys are experienced in this type of accident and can steer you in the right direction. We’d love to give you a FREE consultation for you can decide your next steps. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or complete the form to the right for your FREE consultation today.
