While large truck accidents are not as common as car accidents, the potential for loss and injury is high due to the size and weight of semi-trucks. Big trucks carry trailers, which are 53 feet long, and are sometimes double trailered. Each trailer can carry up to about 40 tons of freight. At highway speeds, the ability to stop a load of that size is difficult, since the laws of physics enter into the equation. Rather than get into the particulars of Newton’s Laws of Motion, for the purposes of this discussion, they indicate that in a collision between a car and a truck, the truck will win.
Statistical Review
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration keeps statistics of large truck crashes in the U.S., and in 2015, the most recent year available, there were 3,598 fatalities from truck crashes nationwide, with 83,000 injuries. This breaks down to nine fatal crashes and 227 injuries per day. This is actually down by about 10 percent since 2012.
Furthermore, at any given time, a review of Las Vegas news provider websites yields several stories of semi-truck accidents in and around the valley. In most cases, the truck crashes will close an important road or freeway for many hours during the investigation of the crash. In most cases, a semi-truck crash has a huge impact on traffic and people’s lives.
Causes of Truck Crashes
As of 2015, there are about 3.6 million Class 8 trucks on the road in the U.S., and almost 12 million trailers registered. Since more than 80 percent of commodities in the U.S. are shipped by truck, industry pressure, growth in the economy, growth in online sales, and other factors will cause this number to increase.
Major causes of truck crashes include:
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- Improper maintenance
Who is Liable?
The question of who is liable in a truck crash is one of the reasons that a lawyer should be involved in dealing with the aftermath of an accident. In addition to the truck driver, other drivers, trucking companies, insurance carriers, maintenance contractors, and in the case of defective equipment, the manufacturer of the truck or components of the truck may share liability. It is important that you have someone on your side that knows the unique legal territory of dealing with truck accidents, and can determine who is at fault.
Once liability is determined, you need someone who can navigate the territory and will protect your rights and obtain the best settlement for you to cover injuries and otherwise make you whole again after an accident.
Richard Harris Law Firm is the Highest Rated Truck Accident Lawyer in Nevada
When you or a family member is injured in an accident with a semi-truck, you need the expertise and skill of a talented attorney. The Richard Harris Law Firm is the highest rated law firm in Las Vegas in helping people who have been involved in accidents with the big rigs. Call us today to discuss your case at (702) 444-4444.
Read More:
http://news3lv.com/news/local/i-15-northbound-closed-near-jean-after-two-semi-trucks-collide
