Trucks can range in size from small delivery trucks to large 18-wheelers used to haul large loads.  Trucks share the roadways with other smaller motor vehicles and when they are involved in traffic collisions, the accidents are usually major and involve severe injuries or deaths.  The large trucks are tall with high centers of gravity and they can be 75 feet long and weigh 80,000 pounds.  Due to its great size and weight, when a truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the accident can be horrific.  Any type of accident can be a terrible experience, especially one with severe injuries or fatalities.  At the Lenahan Law Firm, we understand how devastating a personal injury accident can be for the victims and their families.  Our attorneys work hard for our clients and help them receive the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering.  We take care of the legal details, allowing the victims to concentrate on regaining health or families deal with the loss of a loved one in a wrongful death. 

Causes of Truck Accidents

Trucking companies and truck drivers are required to follow specific government guidelines that are designed to help them avoid accidents.  Commercial trucking is big business and with the scheduling demands to deliver on time, sometimes that takes precedence over safe driving practices.  The most common causes of truck accidents are as follows:

• Driver fatigue – failure to take adequate food and rest breaks
• Poor visibility – other vehicles not visible in side mirrors or bad weather affecting visibility.
• Driver distraction – cell phones, texting or use of other electronic devices while driving
• Drugs/alcohol – drinking or taking drugs while driving
• Mechanical failure – Tire blow out, poor engine maintenance

Load shifts or weather conditions can contribute to truck accidents if the road surfaces are wet or slippery from rain or snow.  Truck accidents are typically rear-end, head-on, side impact or T-bone, rollover, jackknife, or override types.  A truck is difficult to maneuver in an emergency.  These accidents can result in significant injuries that can include broken bones, burns, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, amputations, or other severe injuries.  Some victims are unable to survive their terrible injuries. 

Get Legal Advice as Early as Possible

If you are a victim of a truck accident or you lost a loved one in a truck accident, you should get legal help.  Normally an investigation will follow a truck accident and that can involve insurance company representatives and maybe law enforcement.  It is always a good idea to have an attorney by your side to represent your best interests and help you get the compensation you deserve.  That can include paying for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses or damages.