Tractor Trailer Accidents

Tractor-trailer accidents occur all too often on the roads of the United States. These accidents occur so often that they account for 3 percent of all traffic accidents on an annual basis. They also account for 5,000 deaths and 130,000 injuries on an annual basis. The majority of the deaths caused by tractor-trailer accidents are motorists from other vehicles and not the driver of the truck or a passenger in the truck. Tractor-trailers are 40 times heavier than regular passenger cars, causing more damage to the passenger car in an accident then the truck itself. In 1999, the federal government created legislation that required all tractor-trailers to have reflectors installed along the bottom of the truck for its entire length. These reflectors are present to make it easier for other vehicles to see the truck, especially at night, so that the vehicles do not plow into the side of the truck or drive under the truck.

Causes

Tractor-trailer accidents can be caused by various factors:

• Driver error
• Driver fatigue
• Driver inattentiveness
• Failure to yield
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Faulty equipment
• Unsecured load
• Dangerous roadways
• Inclement weather
• Falling objects
• Debris in the roadway
• Faulty inspection
• Faulty maintenance
• Faulty repair
• Missing reflectors
• Poor visibility
• Driving in blind spots

Liability

Liability in tractor-trailer accident cases can be placed on the truck driver, the driver of another vehicle, the department of transportation, the truck manufacturer, the inspection station, the trucking company, and the employees of the company that loaded the truck.

Injuries and Compensation

Victims of this type of accident can suffer from trauma, emotional stress, broken bones, burns, lacerations, fractures, severed limbs, concussions, comas and much more. The victims of this accident can receive compensation for pain and suffering, loss of wages, repair costs, medical bills, hospital bills, punitive damages, funeral costs, court fees, and legal fees.

Legal Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, contact an attorney immediately for expert legal advice regarding your case. The attorney will perform an in depth investigation regarding the accident to determine who is at fault. The attorney will also be able to fill out and file all of the proper paperwork with the courts while the victim is still recovering from their injuries.