Truck Accident Lawyer By Me

Driving commercial trucks requires special training and skill, as well as compliance with specific federal guidelines regarding cargo loading procedures, driver qualifications, and hours of service restrictions. Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so a driver’s failure to abide by these rules or to operate the vehicle carefully can have devastating consequences for others on the road. The injuries sustained in collisions between large commercial trucks and standard-sized passenger vehicles are usually extremely severe and can leave victims permanently disabled or in chronic pain for the rest of their lives.

At Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC, we understand that these types of accidents can take an extreme physical, emotional, and financial toll on victims and their families and dedicate ourselves to helping our clients seek compensation for the losses they suffered as a result of another’s negligence.

Truck Accident Causes

Truck accidents, like collisions between smaller vehicles, have a number of different causes. However, most truck crashes involve one or more of the following factors:

• Driver fatigue or distraction;
• Failing to properly secure cargo;
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• Driving aggressively;
• Speeding; or
• Mechanical failure.

While it is dangerous for any driver to drive while distracted or to disobey traffic laws, it is especially unsafe for truck drivers who operate vehicles weighing many thousands of pounds. Furthermore, truck drivers are often tasked with carrying dangerous cargo, including toxic materials, some of which are highly flammable.

Potential Injuries

Because semi-trucks are so much larger than standard vehicles and carry potentially hazardous cargo, injuries sustained in collisions with trucks are often severe. For instance, victims of truck accidents are much more likely to suffer from serious burns than are those who were involved in a collision between two passenger vehicles. This is largely due to the fact that semi-trucks have much larger gas tanks than regular cars and so collisions are much more likely to lead to explosions. Furthermore, any fire could be exacerbated by the presence of toxic chemicals, which may be flammable themselves. Other common truck accident injuries include:

• Spinal cord injuries, which in severe cases can result in partial or total paralysis;
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can lead to memory loss, permanent brain damage, and even death;
• Crushed bones, which may require multiple surgeries and physical therapy;
• Organ damage, which is often accompanied by internal bleeding, and if left untreated, could be deadly; and
• Severe lacerations caused by flying glass, metal, and debris.

Even minor cases of whiplash or mild concussions can cost thousands of dollars to diagnose and treat, making it especially important for injured parties to contact an experienced truck accident attorney who can represent their interests, whether in settlement proceedings or in the courtroom.

Federal Regulations

Recognizing the danger posed by large trucks on the freeways, the federal government instituted a series of regulations with which truck drivers must comply. These rules address the following topics:

• The maximum amount of time that a truck driver can drive without taking a break;
• How to properly load and unload cargo;
• How to properly maintain a semi-truck;
• How often the driver should conduct safety inspections; and
• Driver qualifications.

It can be much simpler for an injured party to demonstrate a truck driver’s fault if there is evidence of a regulation violation. However, even when a driver did not violate federal regulations, but still behaved negligently or recklessly, he or she can be held liable for resulting injuries. In fact, the trucking company that hired the driver can also be held liable if its negligence contributed to the accident:

Contact Our Office Today to Speak With an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one recently sustained an injury in a truck accident, please contact Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC by calling 419-241-5500 or by sending us a brief message today.