What Compensation Can Be Gained After a Truck Accident

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Truck Accidents

 Any accident on the road can be traumatizing, but getting in an accident with a semi-truck can produce especially fatal or life-changing results. Commercial trucks weigh significantly more than other passenger vehicles, so any impact with a truck can destroy your car and produce serious injuries. The majority of deaths in truck collisions are people in passenger cars according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. In 2017, over 4,000 people in the United States were victim to truck accidents compared to 683 deaths of truck occupants in the same year.

How Do Truck Accidents Happen?

Although there are precautions made by truck drivers and suppliers, fatal accidents involving large commercial trucks still occur. When a driver is responsible for negligence, it is most commonly due to overworking. There are laws in place to prevent truck drivers from overworking. A fatigued driver is less aware of what is on the road and will have a delayed reaction time, that otherwise could have saved lives. A truck accident can also occur because of poorly maintained equipment. It is the truck company’s responsibility to keep unsafe trucks and trucking equipment off the road. Additionally, a truck driver should also be aware of how a truck is performing and report any overlooked or occurred damage. Poor weather conditions also contribute to the reasons truck accidents happen. With the size and weight of semi-trucks, they take longer to stop. If a truck driver is going too fast for the weather and needs to stop suddenly, no amount of reaction time will prevent the truck from sliding into traffic.

During a truck accident, there is more at stake. Death or serious injury can occur in an instant, so it is important to know your settlement options after an accident with a truck.

Lost wages and earning potential: Depending on the injuries sustained during a truck accident, you may not be able to return to work at all, or will need to change careers. If a person relies heavily on their body for work, such as a professional athlete, an injury that leaves him or her paralyzed will affect their future. They may be able to continue working at a desk job, but their earning potential as a professional athlete was affected. This can be used to argue a settlement amount from the company responsible for the truck accident.

Medical expenses: Life altering injuries require heavy medical bills. From diagnostics, surgery, and maintenance after a serious injury, the amount of money spent on rehabilitation can be intimidating. Especially if earning a wage has been threatened by the accident. This financial stress can be eliminated by a settlement.

Contact an Orland Park Truck Accident Attorney

After going through the trauma of a truck accident, you deserve an experienced Orland Park truck accident attorney to fight on your behalf for fair compensation for your pain and suffering. Set up a free consultation by calling our office at 708-966-2408.

Source:

https://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/large-trucks/fatalityfacts/large-trucks