Trucking Accidents
Accidents are a part of life. According to the Insurance Information Institute states that there was a 7.2 percent increase in death or serious injury from automobile crashes between 2014 and 2015. Trucking accidents account for a large number of these accidents, primarily because they log so many miles each week. In addition, The Center For Disease Control states that most trucking accidents occur between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.
Commercial vehicles are very heavy and inflict serious damage on passenger cars and SUV’s. The following is a detailed overview of personal injury law and how it pertains to those hurt in accidents with large commercial vehicles. If you have been injured in this manner, contact James (Jamie) W. Sutton, Attorney-at-Law, for advice.
Trucking Accident Causes
There are many different causes of commercial trucking accidents in the United States such as:
- Poor Truck Maintenance
- Improperly Trained Drivers
- Speeding
- Road Rage
- Driving Under The Influence
- Driver Fatigue
Common Trucking Accident Injuries
Trucking accident victims often suffer serious injuries due the weight of commercial vehicles. The severity of injury also depends on the speed of both vehicles and the force of impact. Below are some examples of the most common injuries in commercial trucking crashes:
- Crush Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Multiple Bone Fractures
- Severed Limbs
- Spinal Cord Fractures
- Paralysis
- Disfigurement
- Burns
Who Is Liable?
It can often be difficult to tell who was at fault in an accident, especially if there are multiple vehicles involved. For this reason, it is best to hire an attorney who can help you prove liability. Every personal injury case hinges upon the ability of the plaintiff to prove the at fault driver was negligent and caused the accident and their injuries. IN some cases, we hire accident investigators to recreate the crash and prove responsibility. They may also locate and interview eyewitnesses to the crash.
Types Of Damages
It is difficult to know exactly what kind of damages you may be awarded after an accident. However, some of the most common in personal injury cases include:
- Doctor Bills
- Ambulance Costs
- Hospital Fees
- Surgery Costs
- Pain and Suffering
- Lost Wages
- Emotional Distress
- Future Lost Income
Those who are disabled due to the negligent acts of a truck driver may also be awarded a monetary settlement for future lost wages. This money is meant to compensate accident victims for wages they are no longer able to earn because of the accident. It is very important to calculate lost wages and future lost wages accurately in order to receive an adequate settlement in a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact Our Trucking Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has sustained serious injuries in a trucking accident, there is help available. Contact James (Jamie) W. Sutton III, Attorney-at-Law, today to learn what legal options are available to you. Hiring an attorney to guide you through the legal process is the best way to increase your chances of winning your lawsuit and receiving the settlement you deserve for the injuries you received at the hands of a reckless truck driver or commercial carrier. We serve clients throughout Pennsylvania from our offices in Feasterville. This includes residents of Levittown and Bensalem.