Truck Accidents

Accidents happen every day, on highways everywhere. But accidents involving large commercial trucks can have devastating consequences for drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles. Because the trucks are so big, drivers and the companies they represent are often held to higher standards than other drivers.

Drivers should always exercise caution when sharing the road with large trucks. Here are a few tips to help keep you as safe as possible when driving near a truck:

• Stay visible to the driver – stay far enough behind the truck so that the driver can see you in the mirror. If you have to pass, do so quickly, without lingering in the blind spot beside the truck.
• Give yourself time to merge and don’t change lanes close to the front of a truck, as trucks can’t slow down as quickly as smaller vehicles.
• Give trucks making right turns plenty of room to maneuver.
• Stay back from trucks after snowy or icy conditions – the tops of trucks are hard to clear, and heavy blocks of ice can fly off once the truck accelerates.

While statistics demonstrate that truck drivers are usually more careful than drivers of other vehicles, accidents with trucks can cause serious injuries or fatalities. In addition, dangerous cargo being carried by the truck can make an accident worse.

If you are involved in an accident with a truck, document as much as possible. Gather the names of:

• The driver and his or her supervisor
• The trucking company
• The company that hired the trucking company
• The insurance company

Take photos of the scene, the vehicles, and any injuries you sustain. Contact the police department to ensure that an official record is made of the accident.

Seek medical attention right away; having the medical record will be important to your case, so be clear with medical providers about how the injury occurred. Not seeking medical attention right away could hurt your case.

If witnesses stop at the scene of the accident, collect their names and contact information, and make mental notes about anything the driver or the witnesses say to you that may be important to your case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact us today. You may be able to receive financial compensation for medical costs, lost wages, property loss, and pain and suffering due to the responsible party’s negligence. Your attorney will help determine if your accident was the result of inadequate driver training, company pressure on the driver to drive faster or longer than advisable, or other negligence on the part of the driver or the company he or she represents.