If you have been involved in a large truck accident, you have likely suffered serious injuries and incurred significant losses including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you receive proper compensation for your losses.
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While all traffic-related accidents have the potential to cause serious accidents and injuries, accidents involving large commercial trucks can cause particularly devastating damage. Commercial trucks are much larger than regular passenger vehicles and can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, as opposed to an average car that weighs around 3,500 pounds. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that, in 2012 alone, collisions involving large trucks caused an estimated 104,000 injuries as well as nearly 4,000 fatalities. If you have been involved in a serious trucking accident read on to learn more about your legal compensation from the skilled personal injury attorneys at Chris Hamblen Injury Law.
WHAT CAUSES
TRUCK ACCIDENTS?
Semi-truck driver error is the leading cause of accidents involving commercial trucks. A study conducted by the FMCSA revealed that a truck accident is ten times more likely to occur due to driver error than due to other factors. Professional truck drivers are required to go through special training in order to obtain a commercial driver’s license and they should understand the risks that large semi-trucks pose on the roads. Due to the extreme risk of injury to other motorists in truck accidents, professional drivers are held to a higher standard of safety than operators of regular passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, truck drivers do not always abide by their duty to drive in a safe manner and driver negligence routinely causes truck accidents.
EXAMPLES OF
TRUCK DRIVER NEGLIGENCE INCLUDE:
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Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
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Driving while fatigued or violating FMCSA Hours of Service regulations[3]
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Unlawfully driving with a serious medical condition, such as a heart condition or epilepsy
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Engaging in distractions, such as using a handheld mobile device, eating, grooming, and more
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Failing to complete all required pre-trip inspections
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Aggressive driving, including speeding, following too closely, improper passing, or intimidating other motorists
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Taking turns too quickly
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Failing to adequately pay attention to blind spots
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Driving a commercial vehicle without the proper license or training
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De-powering the brakes in the front of the truck
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Otherwise violating traffic laws or FMCSA regulations
OUR
CLIENTS sAY
“Great experience working with Hamblen Injury Law. Very hands-on, and you actually speak to the attorney, unlike other law firms. Chris cares about his clients and works hard to get the best results.”
- Nelson M
“It was great working with Chris and his team. He took care of everything for me when I was in a car accident during my vacation to Florida. I would recommend him to anyone needing legal consol.”
- Michelle G.
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
SAFETY REGULATIONS
Both federal and state regulations govern the safety of truck equipment and the trucking industry is required to comply with those regulations. There are also defined reporting rules in the event of a big rig, large commercial truck collision.
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Recent safety regulations include the May 2020 U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) final rule “updating hours of service (HOS) rules to increase safety on America’s roadways by updating existing regulations for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.”
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Before the new statements in May 2020, The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced in September 2019, that it awarded $77.3 million in grants to states and educational institutions to enhance commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety.
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These grants included the following:
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$43.3 million in High Priority (HP) grants to enhance states’ commercial motor vehicle safety efforts, as well as advance technological capability within states.
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$32 million in Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grants to enhance efforts by states to improve the national commercial driver’s license (CDL) program.
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$2 million in Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training grants to sixteen education institutions to help train veterans for jobs as commercial bus and truck drivers.
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“FMCSA is committed to working with all of its state and local partners to reduce crashes and improve safety on America’s roadways. These important grants demonstrate the agency’s commitment to providing local areas with the resources they need to make a difference for commercial motor vehicle safety,” said FMCSA Administrator Raymond P. Martinez.
WHAT ARE COMMON CAUSES
FOR TRUCK ACCIDENTS WITH INJURY?
Despite the ongoing attempts to further regulate the trucking industry in order to decrease these horrific motor vehicle accidents and the number of accident victims , there remain numerous common causes for tractor trailer accidents:
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Poor and outdated equipment
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Driver fatigue
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Driver error
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Speeding
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Alcohol or drug use
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Poor training
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Distracted drivers
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Improper lane changes
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Failure to see the cars around them when making turns
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Blind spots
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE IN A TRUCK ACCIDENT?
It is critical to determine who is responsible for a commercial vehicle accident as liability may involve more than one person or party.
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Commercial Truck Drivers: The truck driver may be liable for negligent driving. Perhaps the driver has consumed alcohol or drugs. Maybe the accident was the result of long hours on a single trip, dangerous night driving or as a result of a medical health issue.
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Truck Manufacturer: The truck itself might be defective thereby causing the accident.
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Equipment Manufacturer: Equipment such as ropes, pulleys may have been defective thereby contributing to the accident by failing to keep cargo tightly in place.
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Agency who hires the driver: Agencies who hire truck drivers might try to cut corners, avoid necessary inspections and hire unqualified drivers.
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The Trucking Company: The trucking company might bear responsibility for inspecting the vehicle, checking the engine, and verifying that the tires are safe for heavy load driving.
GETTING LEGAL HELP
FROM AN 18 WHEELER ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
It is important to have the help of a semi-truck accident lawyer whenever you are hurt in any one of these accidents. It is advantageous to contact an experienced truck accident lawyer regarding truck accident claims and truck accident lawsuits while still at the accident scene if possible. The legal professionals at a truck accident law firm can help explain how the facts of your particular case might play out in negotiations with the trucking company and/or insurance company. Your attorney will clarify how a truck accident claim requires one to diligently perform a thorough investigation of all facets of the accident. In addition, you can learn whether or not the filing of a lawsuit is necessary to ensure that you receive the compensation for your truck accident injury that you deserve.
GET LEGAL HELP CONSULTATION WITH
CHRIS HAMBLEN INJURY LAW
If you or a loved one are truck accident victims and have suffered in an auto accident injury as a result of a large truck crash, call Chris Hamblen Injury Law today at (727) 644-3589, email us at lit@hambleninjurylaw.com or submit our contact form in the contact us section. The initial consultation is FREE.
If we agree to handle your case, there is no legal fee unless we are successful in getting you money. A lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a Statute of Limitations so please contact our truck accident law firm right away so that you do not lose your rights to money and other benefits.
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It is impossible to make generalizations about the value of any car accident case without knowing the details of the injuries and the manner in which the accident took place.
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The law allows recovery for a wide range of situations, many of which may not be readily apparent to the injured party. This includes but is not limited to the following:
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past medical expenses,
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future medical expenses,
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future medical care and rehabilitation costs,
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therapy,
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lost past wages,
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lost future income,
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property damage,
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pain and suffering, and
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punitive damages and more.
An experienced personal injury attorney at Chris Hamblen Injury Law will fight to obtain money for you to compensate you for all of your damages, past, and future.
WHY CHOOSE
CHRIS HAMBLEN
While no two cases are alike, our experience will ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Our office handles your case from inception through trial if necessary. Chris has extensive experience taking personal injury cases to trial and has achieved successful verdicts for car accidents and slip and fall cases.
• Free Injury Consultation
• No Fees Unless We Win
• Local Representation
• In-Home Consultation
• FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES
• +20 YEARS TRIAL EXPERIENCE
• HABLAMOS ESPAñOL
