Truck drivers are human—like all of us, they can become tired, impatient, distracted, and angry. Their judgment can grow bad. Because the trucks they drive are so much larger and heavier than most of the other vehicles on the road, however, they can more easily cause worse injuries—including fatalities—than other drivers.
A truck accident can overwhelm anyone—between dealing with your injuries, reworking your schedule to accommodate doctor appointments and physical therapy, and worrying about how you will pay for everything when you are unable to work. That’s where the truck accident lawyers at Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, come in. Our legal team won’t collect payment unless you receive compensation for your injuries. We fight for you—and we fight to win! We can take your call at all hours of the day, every day of the week, 24/7. Your initial consultation is free, so call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us online. Don’t wait—we are here and ready to help!
National Trucking Accident Attorney Stewart J. Guss discusses trucking safety on national news with Mike Papantonio on America’s Lawyer
Any time a truck collides with another vehicle, the results can be disastrous. Even at slower speeds, the size and weight of a commercial cargo truck lead to an increased risk of serious damage. Some of the most common types of truck accidents are listed below.
Rollover Accidents
Because trucks have a higher center of gravity, they are especially prone to a rollover. In a rollover accident, the wheels on one side of the truck lose contact with the ground, causing the vehicle to flip onto its side. This type of accident is especially common when a truck enters a sharp turn at too great a speed, collides with a guardrail and attempts to overcorrect, or when the roads are slick due to inclement weather. This type of accident is especially dangerous because the truck driver essentially loses control of their vehicle in a rollover.
Rear-end Accidents
When a truck hits the back of another vehicle, or vice versa, we call it a rear-end accident. These accidents often occur after rain or snow when roads are slippery, at night when visibility is limited, or when a truck is tailgating another car. When the truck driver has less time to react to brake lights and slowing traffic, rear-end accidents can happen. One of the most common injuries people suffer after a rear-end accident is whiplash. This happens when the head and neck are forcefully moved back and forth and can be incredibly painful, causing lasting symptoms.
Jackknife Accidents
Many large commercial trucks have two main components—the cab and the trailer. In a jackknife accident, the trailer swings out to the side while the cab remains facing straight ahead, causing a figure that looks like a folded pocketknife. There are a number of different factors that can cause this type of accident including icy or slick roads, brake failure, or driver error. The danger of a jackknife accident is that once the trailer starts to swing, the driver has no way to stop it. A swinging trailer can quickly cross over several lanes of traffic, colliding with many cars as it does.
Head-on Collisions
A head-on collision occurs when one vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic and hits another vehicle head on. This is an especially serious accident, as the impact of the force is fully distributed to the front of the car, closer to where the driver and passengers are seated. Head-on collisions are especially common when a driver is fatigued and falls asleep at the wheel. This can also happen if the driver is distracted, looking at a cell phone or checking a map for directions. Whenever the driver averts their attention from the road, the chances of a dangerous head-on collision increase.
Tire Blowout Accident
All drivers have a responsibility to maintain their vehicle to a standard that is safe on the road. With trucks, proper and frequent maintenance is even more important. Given the size and weight of trucks, a truck accident can be especially devastating. Often, this type of accident would not occur if the truck owner simply followed up with routine maintenance checks. For example, a truck that doesn’t have properly working brakes or headlights they are a serious risk to all other vehicles on the road. A tire blowout accident typically happens when a truck is driving on old tires that need replacement. This type of accident can also occur if a truck rolls over a sharp object that punctures the tire. When the tire blows out, the driver loses control of the truck and often crashes into other cars that are nearby.
Call Our Truck Accident Legal Team Today
If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, learn and protect your rights. Insurance companies will notoriously try to explore every avenue to reduce what they pay you. When you work with the experienced legal team at Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, you can rest assured that you have a skilled advocate on your side.
We’ve worked with injured victims for more than 20 years, and are proud to say that we always put our clients first. Because we take all of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your call. You can reach us at 800-898-4877 or contact us online. We offer a free consultation for all new clients, so don’t delay—call now to schedule a time to discuss the details of your case and learn how we can help.
