Each year, there are millions of accidents on American roads. Some are small fender-benders, while others are serious impact collisions. Unfortunately, most truck accidents fall into this latter category. This makes your response all the more important.
Truck Accident Statistics and Trends
Since 2011, fatal truck accidents have increased by roughly 33 percent to roughly 4,800 per year. While large trucks account for just 4 percent of all registered vehicles on American roads, they’re involved in 9 percent of all fatal crashes.
The most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver Fatigue: Long hours of driving and tight deadlines can lead to truck drivers becoming fatigued, reducing their ability to operate their vehicles safely.
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving, including texting, eating, or using a GPS device, can cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
- Improper Maintenance: Neglecting to maintain the truck and its equipment can lead to malfunctions, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Improperly Loaded Cargo: Overloading a truck or improperly loading its cargo can affect the truck’s balance, making it more difficult to control.
- Speeding: Driving at excessive speeds increases the risk of losing control of the truck and increases the severity of accidents.
- Substance Abuse: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and puts other motorists at serious risk.
- Lack of Training: Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers are more likely to be involved in truck accidents.
- Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven pavement, and other road hazards can cause trucks to lose control and crash.
- Aggressive Driving: Tailgating or cutting off other drivers can increase the risk of truck accidents.
In many cases, truck accidents are caused by a combination of multiple factors. When examining accidents and assigning blame, insurance companies and officials are often forced to conduct thorough investigations.
7 Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you’re involved in a truck accident, it’s important to take the following steps to protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve:
- Call the police: The first step you should take after a truck accident is to call the police. A police report can be an important piece of evidence if you later decide to file a personal injury claim.
- Seek medical attention: If you’re injured in a truck accident, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Not only will this help you recover more quickly, but it will also create a record of your injury that can be used to support your personal injury claim.
- Collect information: If possible, collect information at the scene of the accident, including the name, contact information, and insurance information of the truck driver and any witnesses, as well as photos of the damage to the vehicles and the scene of the accident.
- Contact a truck accident attorney: If you’re involved in a truck accident, it’s important to contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. A truck accident attorney can help you navigate the complex process of filing a personal injury claim and fight for your rights.
As Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa explains, “Trucking accidents are different from other auto accidents because there are so many parties involved in keeping a truck on the road. In some cases, multiple parties may be to blame for an accident, so it is crucial to have a knowledgeable attorney on your side who has the resources to thoroughly investigate what happened.”
- Document everything: Keep detailed records of all expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and any other expenses.
- Do not speak to the insurance company: Do not speak to the insurance company without first speaking to a truck accident attorney. The insurance company may try to pressure you into accepting a low settlement offer or may try to use your statements against you in court.
- Do not sign anything: Do not sign any forms or agreements without first speaking to a truck accident attorney. You may unknowingly give up your rights or agree to a settlement that is lower than what you deserve.
Proceed With Purpose
It might sound like a weird thing to say to someone when they’re in the middle of a devastating accident, but it’s important to proceed with purpose in the aftermath of a truck collision. That means making smart decisions and avoiding mistakes that could compromise the integrity of your case.
Hopefully, this article has given you some helpful suggestions for getting started. Use them to get yourself on the right track.
