Being injured in a motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic experience, but when a crash involves large trucks like tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers the aftermath can be absolutely catastrophic.
At Pepper & Odom, P.C., our attorneys have successfully recovered maximum compensation for personal injury victims and their families following many types of accidents including truck accidents.
We help you understand your rights and take on big trucking companies so you can focus on your healing and recovery.
Truck accidents can be deadly
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other large trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger vehicles, because of their mass; it often causes serious damage when involved in an accident. Their higher ground clearance can result in smaller vehicles under-riding from behind, which often leads to fatalities in car versus truck accidents.
According to the NHTSA, otherwise known as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,136 people died in large truck accidents in 2018 alone. The rate of these fatalities has only increased over the years.
Compared to 2020, fatalities in collisions involving large trucks increased by 13% in 2021. The number of fatalities of truck accidents in 2020 was a reported 4,965, which increased to 5,601 the following year of 2021.
In 2021, the overall amount of traffic fatalities for the year showed an increase of 10.5% in reported traffic fatalities of 2020. Between the months from April to July and November to December, the accidents involving commercial and non-commercial trucks carrying more than 10,000 pounds of gross vehicle weight increased, as stated by the NHTSA.
Did you know?
Even if a truck accident isn’t fatal, motorists and passengers of other vehicles may sustain catastrophic injuries that require costly medical treatment and lifelong care.
Types of injuries sustained in truck accidents
Whether a truck causes a multi-car pileup on the highway or slams into a car at a busy intersection in the city, those involved in truck accidents may suffer from serious injuries such as:
- Head, neck, and spine injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken or crushed bones
- Amputation
- Burns
- Soft tissue injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Psychological conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression
All of these injuries can have a significant impact on an injured victim’s quality of life. Our truck accident lawyers know how to accurately value your claim and help to ensure you recover the maximum compensation you need and deserve to move on with your life after an injury.
If you have lost a loved one in a tractor-trailer accident, we can determine whether you have a viable wrongful death claim and help you hold any negligent parties accountable for damages sustained.
Who is responsible for damages after a truck accident?
Cases involving 18-wheelers and other large trucks are usually much more complex than auto accident claims. They require extensive investigation and multiple parties may be liable for damages.
Several parties may be liable for your injuries and losses, including:
- Truck driver: Distracted driving, speeding, driver fatigue, and operating a truck while under the influence are often the cause of tractor-trailer accidents. Drivers are required to keep a logbook and document the number of hours driven and breaks. If they fail to do this or are dishonest about how long they have been on the road, they may be liable for any damages caused by an accident.
- Trucking company: Commercial trucking companies often put pressure on drivers to make deadlines or skimp on required maintenance and repairs. Improper training and screening can also be factors that leave trucking companies open to liability. If repairs and maintenance are outsourced to a separate company, they may be liable as well.
- Cargo handlers: Weight distribution of cargo in a commercial truck that is not loaded correctly may put cargo handlers as part of the negligent party involving a truck accident. Although some trucking companies load trucks themselves, many outsource cargo handling to third parties. If a truck is improperly loaded, cargo can shift and cause a serious crash.
- Parts manufacturers: Defective parts can cause engine malfunction, brake failure, and other problems that lead to accidents. If a faulty truck component is to blame for causing an accident, the designer, manufacturer, and distributor may be responsible for damages.
Did you know?
Proving negligence is an essential element of any personal injury case – if you are unfamiliar with how these claims must be proven, attempting to validate a claim alone can result in minimal compensation or no recovery at all.
How Pepper & Odom can help you with truck accidents
Investigation and litigation of truck accident claims require the knowledge and experience of seasoned attorneys. Regulations and laws surrounding the operation of commercial trucks are set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state agencies like MDOT for Mississippi or ALDOT for Alabama.
Our truck accident lawyers at Pepper & Odom, P.C. are well-versed in FMCSA regulations and the state and federal laws that govern our roadways. In addition, many commercial truck companies carrier higher coverage limits than standard auto insurance policies.
This means that although you may be able to recover a greater amount of compensation, trucking companies, and their insurers may be more inclined to dispute or minimize your claim. Our attorneys are experienced litigators who get results for our clients following truck accidents.
We will not hesitate to fight for your rights in court and help you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve for the damages sustained.
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