A fully-loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. When you consider the size of these vehicles and the speed at which they travel, it is no wonder that truck accidents are among the most devastating. Nearly half a million trucking accidents occur each year in the United States, resulting in approximately 5,000 deaths and thousands of other serious injuries.
Types of Injuries
Truck accident lawyers regularly fight for victims who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severed limbs
- Paralysis
- A dislocated spine, jaw, or shoulder
- Severe burns
- Broken bones
Many who are involved in a commercial trucking accident will suffer from more than one of the above injuries. It is not uncommon for victims to require extended medical care, including multiple surgeries.
Causes
Trucking accidents are sometimes due to negligence on the part of the driver. Truckers who are under serious pressure to meet deadlines often operate in unsafe conditions or at high rates of speed. Some will even forego required rest breaks to get where they are going. Sleep apnea is a common problem among professional drivers and can result in them falling asleep at the wheel.
Other times, the trucking company, itself, may fail to perform the right maintenance or overload their trailers, leaving truck drivers more prone to having an accident. Trucking companies that fail to provide safe conditions can be held liable in a court of law.
Recovering Damages
Truck accident attorneys can help victims recover damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Consortium
- Lost wages
In cases of extreme negligence, the trucking company, and/or driver could be required to pay punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended as punishment when the amount of negligence is so great that an accident could reasonably have been anticipated. They go above and beyond actual damages, and are designed to deter others from committing similar acts in the future.
If you have been injured in a trucking accident, it’s important to seek help immediately. Trucking firms have teams of lawyers protecting their interests, and you must as well. Contact the truck accident attorneys at Cutt, Kendell & Olson to find out more.