There is probably no bigger danger on the road today than the seemingly unlimited amount of semi trucks that we drive alongside on a daily basis.
Semi trucks are big, heavy, and don’t maneuver very easily, which unfortunately leads to severe accidents. These trucks are often carrying heavy and sometimes dangerous cargo which may be toxic or flammable.
Dangerous cargo can also be an added concern and cause of injury in the case of an accident with a semi truck. If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident, then it is important that you seek the advice of an experienced semi truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
Semi Truck Accident Facts
Semi-trucks are essentially unavoidable on the road as they haul approximately 70% of our country’s freight annually. There are over 31 million semi trucks that are registered in the United States today.
These trucks consistently travel the roadways of the state of Washington as well as the rest of the country. In 2020, there have been nearly 4,000 crashes involving semi trucks in and around the state of Washington alone.
40 of these accidents resulted in fatalities, and over 400 crashes resulted in either minor or serious injuries to those involved.
Semi truck drivers are the least likely to suffer injuries as the result of a collision while other regular drivers are usually the ones most at risk. Even with safe and defensive driving, you may not be able to prevent a serious semi truck accident from occurring.
Common Causes of Semi Truck Accidents
There are a variety of factors that cause semi truck accidents, the most common causes of semi truck accidents include:
Truck Driver Error
This is the leading cause of semi truck accidents. Semi truck drivers carry a lot of responsibility along with their cargo. Truck drivers are ten times more likely to be the reason for an accident compared to any other factor such as weather, road conditions, or vehicle defect. Truck drivers often drive long hours and accidents can result from sleep deprivation, distractions on the road, and/or even because of driver intoxication from alcohol or drugs.
Equipment Failure or Defect
Trucking equipment that malfunctions, fails, or is shown to be defective are the next most common reasons why semi truck accidents occur. Before each time a semi truck hits the road, it should be inspected and verified for its safety. If a truck accident is caused by a malfunctioning or defective part, then your cause of action might likely be against the manufacturer of that part, and not the driver of the truck itself. It is possible to hold both the driver and part manufacturer liable given the correct circumstances.
Violation of Trucking Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a litany of regulations that semi truck drivers and hauling companies are required to follow. These rules are meant to improve and maintain safety on the roadways, and when they are not followed, serious accidents can result.
Road Hazards
Roads are not always easy to navigate. Difficult road conditions, narrow lanes, and severe weather also often cause serious accidents involving semi trucks. In some cases, you may be able to hold a government agency responsible for injuries suffered in a semi truck accident if the road was in an unsafe condition for travel.
Cargo Loading Error
Whoever loads cargo onto a semi truck should do so carefully and meticulously. Improperly loading cargo can either result in the cargo falling on the road or can even result in a truck tipping over. Cargo loading errors can cause serious and fatal injuries for those involved in an accident with a semi truck.
Trucking Company Negligence
If an accident with a semi truck is caused by some sort of issue with trucking equipment, parts failure, or lack of maintenance, then you may be able to hold the trucking company liable for negligence.
These are not all of the causes of semi truck accidents. If you have questions about an accident you were involved in, then call the Law Office of Sofia Miguel today so we can help.
Common Types of Injuries from Semi Truck Accidents
Semi truck accidents can cause very serious injuries. The most common types of serious injuries that result from a semi-truck accident include:
- Concussions
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Bone fractures
- Spine injuries
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Burn injuries
- Amputations
People also unfortunately die in these accidents; if your loved one has died as the result of a semi truck accident, then you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
What to do After Being Involved in a Semi Truck Accident
If you or someone you love has been involved in a serious semi truck accident, you are probably full of way more questions than answers.
It is common to wonder how you are supposed to pay your medical bills if you can’t work or even move around normally. The first thing you should focus on after a semi truck accident is your health.
Make sure to get any and all of the medical treatment and care that you need so you can jump start your physical recovery.
Once you are physically able, then it is time to speak to an experienced attorney who can not only help you understand what your case is worth but can also help guide you on the path to a maximum financial recovery. Attorney Sofia Miguel is happy to answer your questions in a free consultation that can be scheduled with an easy call or email.
Sofia’s No Fee Guarantee
Attorney Sofia K. Miguel guarantees that you will never write a check to our office under Sofia’s “no fee guarantee.” Consultations are free and if your case is selected, then Sofia will also cover all your court costs during your personal injury case.
Sofia only gets paid when you do. Her services will cost you nothing out of pocket; simple as that. Let Sofia’s nearly twenty years of experience in helping people recover for their personal injuries get to work for you now.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as the victim of a semi truck accident near Seattle, Puyallup or Tacoma, WA, then contact attorney Sofia Miguel as she is ready to help you fight to get the money you deserve. Call us at 253-200-4471, come visit our office right here in Puyallup at 702 S. Hill Park Dr. #207, or contact us online anytime. We are here for you.
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