While we may hate sitting behind the extremely slow truck in rush hour traffic, the truth of the matter is that trucking is vital to our economy. However, because of their size, trucks and large motor vehicles are usually involved in incidents that result in injury or even death. Commercial motor vehicles such as trucks and trailers are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which sets strict guidelines on trucking and the safety procedures drivers follow. However, even with the most tightened rules, accidents do happen, and when they do, let Portland Personal Injury Attorneys help you find the lawyer you need to get compensation and solve the problems you face if you are involved in an accident with a truck.
Quick Statistics
- Every year in the United States, trucks are involved in 5,000 deaths, 100,000 serious injuries, and 500,000 accidents.
- Trucking accidents are statistically proven to cause more accidents that involve the death of one or more victims than other motor vehicle accidents.
- A fully loaded truck can way in excess of 80,000 pounds, while a 4-door sedan weighs a mere 3,000 pounds.
- According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the primary cause of trucking accidents is driver fatigue.
Common Causes: Trucking Accidents
You may be wondering, how do most trucking accidents happen? Aren’t the drivers far more trained than the average non-commercial driver? Generally, this is true, but accidents due happen for many reasons, including:
- Overloaded trucks
- Oversized trucks
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Poorly maintained equipment
- Poor driving conditions
- Speeding
- Swerving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to yield
- Defective safety equipment (reflective tape, lights, warning system)
Generally, when trucking accidents occur, the trucking company involved sends out a dedicated and professional trucking incident investigator. However, do not be fooled. This person isn’t working for you, but in fact, they are usually working against you. Sometimes, they may even try to find fault in your actions instead of their own drivers. Even if you are only partially involved in the accident, you are still entitled to compensation, and most trucking accident investigators will try to nullify your compensation.
Don’t allow these borderline criminals to take away what you rightfully deserve. In a time of grief and suffering, the last thing you want is to be denied the compensation for your pain and injuries. Medical expenses pile up, and days away from work can lead to a stress on your financial situation. Remember, Insurance adjusters do not work for you and are in the business of paying out as little as possible so you will want a dedicated truck accident attorney to represent you and begin an immediate investigation into your accident so that valuable evidence is preserved and your well-being is the top priority.
It is vital you let the experts at Portland Personal Injury Attorneys refer you to a lawyer that actually cares about you and your situation. Let them handle the situation and get you the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.