The trucking industry keeps this country running. Tractor trailers that haul goods aren’t the only kind of commercial trucks, though. Commercial trucks are any kind of truck that is used for business. So that means dump trucks, delivery trucks, garbage trucks, tanker trucks, cement mixers, and refrigerator trucks are all commercial trucks as well as tractor trailers. What all of these trucks have in common is that they are all larger than regular motor vehicles, which means a collision with one can cause serious damage and injuries to passengers in a car.
When you get into an accident with a commercial truck, no matter what kind, you could be facing high costs from medical bills, paying your mechanic to fix your car, and medications that you need to help you with your injuries. Since you didn’t cause the accident, those costs shouldn’t be your responsibility. A Charleston truck accident lawyer from DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC will be able to look into your crash, assign fault to the responsible party, and fight for accurate compensation for you.
Commercial Truck Accident Statistics
While driving on the highway, you’re likely to see many large trucks. If conditions are bad, a truck part malfunctions, or any driver isn’t paying attention, then you could get into a dangerous collision with a commercial truck. In 2018, 74% of deaths were caused specifically by tractor trailers, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Single unit trucks, such as delivery trucks, accounted for 27% of deaths in truck accidents in the same year.
Most truck crashes, both nonfatal and fatal alike, occur when the truck is in transport, meaning that the truck is carrying goods to a destination, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This makes these accidents even more dangerous than they already are because not only are the trucks much larger than regular vehicles, but they are also much heavier when they are hauling goods.
Regularly sized motor vehicles weigh around 3,000 pounds on average. In comparison, tractor trailers weigh around 35,000 pounds on average, but can weigh up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded, per FMCSA regulations. The weight discrepancy alone is why tractor trailer accidents are so dangerous when another vehicle is involved.
Who Is Liable for Your Commercial Truck Accident?
While you may believe you know who caused your truck accident, there is rarely one critical event that causes a truck accident. According to the FMCSA, truck accidents are commonly caused by things like blown tires, other cars, and animals. While a distracted, drowsy, or negligent truck driver could very well be one of the main causes for your accident, there are also many other causes. If a truck part malfunctions, or the trailer is loaded improperly, then the accident could be the fault of the trucking manufacturer or company—not the driver.
That’s why our trucking accident attorney will fully investigate what happened to cause the accident—we want to make sure that the correct person or company is held liable for your injuries and damages. Here are some things we will look into to determine who or what caused your truck wreck:
- The truck driver has a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), which is required to operate any commercial truck.
- The truck driver’s hour log does not break FMCSA regulations.
- The truck driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the crash.
- If cell phone use or any other device or object was a distraction to the driver.
- The truck was loaded properly and was the specified weight.
- If any truck parts malfunctioned.
There are plenty of reasons why a truck collides with another vehicle, but when none of the reasons were your fault, you shouldn’t have to pay for your injuries. Our truck accident lawyer will fight for your financial recovery from this accident so that you can focus on fighting for your physical and emotional recovery.
Our Charleston Truck Accident Lawyer Can Represent You
At DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC, we know how serious your injuries and damages could be, and how much trouble you could have recovering. Depending on your injuries, you could need medical treatment for the rest of your life, lost wages, and be unable to provide for your family in the same ways you once did. We know how hard that can be for you and your loved ones.
That’s why we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Our experienced personal injury lawyers know you need a strong support system throughout this process. With our legal representation, you can feel confident in your claim, and know that you have all the support you need. Contact us so that we can get started on your claim today.
