7 Popular Questions About Truck Accidents

When a truck accident occurs, a number of questions come up. Rather than taking your best guess at the answers to these questions - possibly leading to financial loss and legal trouble - do some research of your own. These are seven of the most commonly asked questions about truck accidents:

1. How common are semi-truck accidents?

Semi-trucks are responsible for approximately 3% of the property and injury-related accidents and 9% of all crashes with fatalities, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2021, accidents involving semis increased by 13% from 2020. This increase includes 5,601 fatalities, up from 4,965 in 2020.

2. Who is at fault in a truck accident?

The answer to this question isn't as clear as it may initially seem to be. In some instances, there may even be more than one person at fault. Hiring an experienced, competent accident attorney to investigate the matter is a smart move.

An accident attorney will perform a thorough investigation to determine who is liable in the case, which may include the truck driver, the trucking company/ carrier, the manufacturers of the truck and or its parts, and others.

3. What are the most common causes of semi-truck accidents?

There's a long list of factors that can come into play in a semi-truck accident. They are basically the same ones that cause other types of car crashes. They include speeding, driving while tired (aka “fatigued driving”), distracted driving, and drunk/impaired driving.

When it comes to semis, there are certain factors that tend to be specific to accidents involving them, such as:

• Improperly maintained or inspected tires
• Maintenance negligence
• Driving while fatigued
• Faulty brakes
• Poorly trained/inexperienced drivers
• Improperly secured loads

4. What happens if more than one party is responsible for your truck accident?

Once it has been determined that more than one party bears responsibility for your semi-truck accident, further details must be investigated. It will be necessary to find out how much responsibility each party bears. Was someone driving while under the influence? Does that person have a history of impaired driving? What were the weather/road conditions? Was their vehicle in poor repair? Many factors will come into play to determine individual liability.

In court, it will be determined how much responsibility each at-fault party bears. This will be decided by a judge or jury. Upon making this determination, each responsible party will be held accountable to a certain degree.

This determination will be used to set the number of damages, monetary and otherwise, that each party will be required to pay to the victim. A reputable accident attorney will work seamlessly throughout the truck accident claim process on your behalf.

5. What is the time limit for filing a case for a truck accident?

The statute of limitations for filing an injury claim varies from state to state. Failing to file a claim within the allotted time will cause you to lose your right to file at all and collect any damages you may be entitled to.

6. How much compensation is a semi-truck accident worth?

The size and weight of a semi-truck virtually always mean that an accident will be particularly devastating. This means that any damages or injuries suffered are likely to be extremely serious and therefore require a considerable amount of compensation to the victim. Damages are generally awarded for the following:

• Medical care
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Loss of future wages
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• PTSD
• Long-term care/rehabilitation

7. When should you contact an accident lawyer about your truck accident?

In order to protect yourself and avoid jeopardizing your rights following a truck accident, you should contact an accident lawyer right away. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident will ensure that any potential claim you have will be filed before any deadlines pass. It will also protect you from falling victim to an insurance adjuster, who may cause you to lose some portion or all of the compensation a court of law may find that you're entitled to.

A truck accident attorney will understand all the negative ways a truck accident can affect every aspect of your life. Choosing an experienced, seasoned accident lawyer can save you a literal fortune. They can also see to it that you are awarded every dollar you are entitled to as the injured party.

Feeling confused and helpless after an accident is normal. An accident is not a daily life routine. So, when it happens, you will not be aware of what to do simply because you never expected to be in this position. Even if you are not a truck accident victim, try to learn about what to do after an accident. It can save you some time. Hope this blog post answered the question that was on your mind.

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