Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
In North Carolina, we have quite a few large commercial trucks traveling through. While large trucks are a necessary part of life, they can also be dangerous. If a smaller vehicle, such as a passenger car, SUV, or pickup truck, is involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, the results can be devastating. If you were hurt in an accident with a big rig, you want to make sure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries and damages. A knowledgeable attorney will help guide you through the claim process.
Trucks Are Larger and Heavier Than Passenger Vehicles
Commercial trucks are extremely large and heavy. While a typical passenger vehicle weighs about 4,000 pounds (two tons), a semi tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (40 tons) when fully loaded with cargo. This weight makes them unique because they are more difficult to drive, steer, and stop. When a large truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the damage can be severe.
Trucks May Carry Hazardous Materials
Trucks carry cargo, and sometimes that cargo may be dangerous. A large truck could also lose fuel or other fluids that might be dangerous or flammable. Trucks may carry hazardous materials such as gases, explosives, or flammable liquids. Heavy loads can also be problematic. Cargo can shift or fall if it is not secured properly. These issues can further complicate a simple accident.
Big Rigs Can Tip Over
Large tractor-trailers hauling heavy loads are subject to the laws of physics. When a big rig makes a sudden movement or stop, it can result in a jackknife, or the entire truck could roll. When this occurs, it can cause catastrophic damage to nearby vehicles. This can cause chain-reaction accidents that include multiple vehicles.
Large Truck Accidents are More Likely to Cause Fatalities
Large truck accidents are different from car crashes because they often result in serious injuries or fatalities. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 5,218 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents last year. More than 161,000 people were injured in truck accidents. Most of the injuries and fatalities occurred to occupants of the other vehicles. Some of the serious injuries include such things as traumatic brain injuries, back and neck injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries.
Proving Liability in Truck Accident Cases
Truck accidents can be extremely complex. In addition, the large trucking companies often have legal departments that are ready to immediately begin defending accident cases. These factors can make it difficult to successfully seek damages without the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. You must be able to prove that the truck driver or company was negligent in the crash. Your lawyer will work to gather a variety of evidence from various sources to prove your claim.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash with a big rig, you may be owed money for your damages. Contact our legal team today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury and boating accidents. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://emilms.fema.gov/IS-0005a/groups/134.html
https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/large-trucks/
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https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC/videos
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