Accidents caused by commercial trucks can quickly become disastrous. Commercial truck drivers often must go through extensive training before voyaging out onto the road for the first time. However, their errors and negligence can easily cause a life-threatening situation or fatalities to those in a passenger car at the time of the crash. A truck driver may be speeding in order to meet a deadline, falling asleep behind the wheel due to lacking sleep, or not securing hazardous cargo correctly. In this article, we have answered a few common questions regarding commercial truck accidents, and how such events can ensue while on the road. In the event you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer, like a truck accident lawyer Woodland Hills relies on, in order to assist you with your case.
What vehicles are considered to be commercial trucks?
Commercial trucks may also be referred to as big rigs, and are used for transporting goods or materials from one city or state to another. Commercial trucks are hefty and may carry at most 80,000 pounds of product. You may see on the road that a truck is carrying large tanks that are filled with hazardous or even flammable chemicals. Commercial vehicles can include freight trucks, tanker trucks, or eighteen-wheeler trailers.
What kind of injuries may a car driver sustain after impact?
If an accident were to occur between a commercial truck and an average car, the car driver is much more likely to suffer from very serious injuries. Simply due to the difference in size, passenger drivers are already at risk when sharing the road with a commercial truck. The range of injuries can include the following:
- Seat belt & airbag bruising
- Deep cuts & lacerations from flying debris or glass
- Road rash (if the driver was ejected from the vehicle)
- Nerve damage to the spinal cord
- Crushed extremities
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
- Fractured skull
- Chemical burns (due to hazardous material leaking)
- Neck & back injuries
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Brain swelling
- Wrongful death
Is medical attention absolutely necessary after a truck accident?
Even if you believe you feel well enough at the time, see a doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are in a state of shock or an adrenaline rush, you may not feel the severity of your injuries until a later time. It is possible that very serious underlying conditions have not risen to the surface yet, but require immediate medical attention. In particular, waiting hours to be seen for a traumatic brain injury or internal bleeding could become devastating.
Should I consult with an attorney after the accident?
Many people find it useful to consult with a legal professional after such a horrible accident. An attorney can help you decide whether to file a lawsuit against the truck driver for your injuries. Emergency costs, diagnostics, injury treatment and loss of pay due to missing work can add up quickly. The car driver may face substantial financial hardship as a result of the accident. The driver may decide to seek financial compensation from the truck driver for causing the accident and subsequent injuries.
Thank you to Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation, for providing insight and authoring this piece on truck accidents.
