Over the past several years, the number of car accidents involving large trucks has continued to increase in the United States. According to the latest report from the United States Department of Transportation, almost 5000 fatal crashes occurred involving buses and large trucks in 2017. This was an 8% increase from 2016.

A typical auto accident can result in various injuries and property damages for all parties involved. However, because trucks such as 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles are quite large, the injuries and losses tend to be more severe. Therefore, car and truck drivers have different road safety requirements and responsibilities as well as legal procedures when an accident occurs.

Causes of Truck and Car Accidents

Car accidents usually occur due to issues such as the drivers not paying attention, rubbernecking, texting, or other forms of distraction. With accidents caused by large trucks, there are other elements involved, such as heavy cargo that can hinder the truck’s ability to slow down, blind spots, and not being able to make sharp turns. Commercial vehicles, especially 18-wheelers, are expected to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of other drivers on the road.

Compensation and Insurance Policies

Most car accidents are relatively minor, and the cost of repair is covered by the insurance provider of the at-fault party. The majority of car accidents are settled out of court because the legal fees can be much more expensive than the cost of the settlement.

When it comes to truck accidents, the trucking companies will often try to get out of paying the victims even though they have sizeable insurance policies. They will try to find fault or proof of negligence from other parties involved, such as the distribution company for failing to secure the cargo properly or the weight station officer for letting the truck go with an overweight load to reduce their liability.

The victims of truck accidents are often unable to get fair compensation as they are unable to prove the negligence of the trucking company.

Establishing the At-Fault Party

To determine the liability of the trucking company, an auto accident attorney must look at several factors. These include the number of hours the driver has been on the road without resting, whether the driver has a valid commercial driving license, and the truck’s inspection status.

Commercial vehicle accidents involving large trucks can leave victims with extensive injuries, trauma, and damages as well as substantial medical bills. Hiring an experienced auto accident lawyer specializing in truck accidents is the best way to ensure the at-fault party is held accountable.

Hire an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer!

Hiring an experienced truck accident attorney can help you get fair compensation for any injuries or damages that involved a large truck or any other commercial vehicle.

The Law Offices of Lisa Douglas, Inc. has years of experience dealing with complex truck accident cases across Little Rock, Arkansas. Our team of personal injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve without requiring much effort on your part.

Get in touch with us today and let us handle all the legal aspects of your case while you recover from the physical and mental trauma of the accident!