The number of fatal truck crashes each year in the U.S. will surprise many, with over 4,840 fatal truck crashes occurring in 2022 alone. This is an increase of 33% from 2011. And that’s not the only thing we need to worry about. Truck crashes don’t just cause death; they can also cause serious injury too.
So, what should you do if you’re involved in a truck crash? If you want to know what to do if you or a loved one is involved in a truck accident, keep reading below. We’ll not only discuss what steps to take but also talk about what kind of settlement you can expect after a truck accident.
Why Are Truck Accidents So Deadly?
Truck accidents are considered one of the most severe types of accidents you can be involved in. This is because truck accidents are much more likely to result in death or serious injury than a collision between two passenger cars.
There are several reasons why truck accidents are so deadly. One of the main reasons is because of the weight of trucks. A big truck can weigh as much as 30,000 pounds, and most passenger cars weigh less than 4,000 pounds. This means the passenger cars are no match for the much larger trucks.
Another reason truck accidents are more severe is because of the vehicle’s height. Truck drivers usually ride much higher up than passenger car drivers. Riding higher helps to keep truck drivers safer. Both of these things can lead to devastating injuries or even death if you’re involved in a truck accident.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Here’s a list of some of the most common causes of truck accidents:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Drugs and alcohol consumption
- Overtaking
- Speeding
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Inadequate training
- Improper cargo loading
Statistics suggest that most truck accidents occur due to driver error. This could be the truck driver’s error or the passenger car or motorcycle rider’s error. The figures also suggest that most of these accidents are preventable.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Being involved in a truck accident can cause some severe injuries. Here are some of the most common injuries from truck accidents:
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries – if severe, these can leave you paralyzed.
- Burns – many passenger vehicles set alight after a collision with a truck. This can leave people with severe burns.
- Head and brain injuries
- Amputation – amputation of legs is common in truck accidents.
- Disfigurement
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones, cuts, and bruises
- Death – nearly 5,000 people die each year from truck accidents.
Sometimes, the aftermath of a truck accident can stick with you for life, both mentally and physically. If this happens to you, you must contact a car accident injury attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Should You Do If You Are Involved in a Truck Accident?
No one ever expects to be involved in a crash on the road. However, unfortunately, having an accident while driving is relatively common, with thousands of people having accidents each year. But what should you do if you are involved in a crash? Here are the steps to take if you’re involved in a truck accident:
- Pull over in a safe place if possible.
- Turn the engine off and put on your hazard lights.
- Check for injuries to yourself or your passengers. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance immediately.
- If safe to do so, get everyone out of the vehicle.
- Stay calm.
- Don’t apologize or admit fault to the other driver.
- Collect information from the other driver.
- Take photos of the scene
- Report the accident to your insurance.
- Call a lawyer.
What Kind of Settlement Can You Expect?
No two accidents are the same, so it can be difficult to tell you exactly how much compensation you will receive after you’ve been involved in a truck accident. The amount of money you receive will depend on several factors, such as:
- Who caused the accident? – if you were to blame for the accident, then you are unlikely to receive much or any compensation.
- What injuries you sustained – the more severe your injuries, the more compensation you will receive. The amount you will receive will be based on factors like your medical bills and long-term prognosis.
- If you were unable to work or return to work at all because of an injury, you will need to be compensated for this. This will increase your compensation claim.
- If you faced any other financial losses – this includes the cost of repairing your vehicle, damage to any contents, etc.
- If your injuries will impact your life in the future, you may receive extra compensation for pain and suffering.
- The truck accident attorney you hire – hiring an attorney can increase your chances of getting compensation. However, it’s essential to choose a lawyer who has dealt with this sort of case in the past. As well as this, it’s also essential to choose a lawyer who you trust.
- Whether you want to negotiate or go for a fast settlement – most people choose to settle out of court. There are pros and cons to both options. While settling out of court is often much quicker and easier, you may receive less compensation.
If you’ve ever been hurt in a road traffic accident, or you’ve lost someone special as a result of a truck accident, you might not know what steps you need to take next. Thankfully, there are truck accident lawyers out there who can help. They will not only tell you where you stand in terms of the law, but they will also be able to tell you what kind of settlement you can expect. Speak to Karns & Karns Truck Accident Attorneys to find out more.
