Due to the often dangerous roads and highways across the country, there are many causes of truck accidents each year. Studies have shown that nearly half a million of these types of accidents occur each year, and 5,000 of these crashes involve fatalities. Although the specific type of truck accident may vary, it is estimated that out of every eight accidents, one results in a fatality.
Like other types of accidents, there is no way to predict when a truck accident may occur. However, being aware of your surroundings, especially when semi-trucks are present, will help reduce the chances of this type of accident occurring. The number of semi-trucks on the roads is increasing every year, which means that the roads are becoming more congested, increasing the risk of truck accidents.
If you are a resident of Orlando, you should know the benefits of having an accident lawyer who can be helpful in these cases. Keep reading to learn about the perks of having an Orlando truck accident lawyer you can count on in the event of an eventuality.
Types of Truck Accidents
A number of elements can increase the chances of a truck accident occurring, such as the time of day or adverse weather conditions. However, the specific types of truck accidents will vary depending on the driver’s ability to react correctly and the equipment on the truck.
Below is presented to you the most common causes of truck accidents
Blind Spots:
Motorists should always be aware of truck drivers’ blind spots. This security measure reduces the likelihood of an accident. Truckers often have a hard time seeing motorcyclists and smaller vehicles because their blind spots are usually quite large, making it difficult to change lanes safely.
Lost Cargo:
Truck drivers must learn how to properly secure their loads and check them every time they embark on a trip. When drivers fail to secure cargo properly, it can come loose and fall off the truck or shift the weight of the trailer, leading to accidents.
Head-On:
Unfortunately, due to often-pressing schedules, drivers can become reckless or negligent in delivering goods. As a result, they may accelerate, causing head-on collisions with other vehicles.
Rear-end:
Another common type of accident is rear-ended crashes involving semi-trailer trucks, which can have devastating consequences, depending on the weight of the load and the speed at which the truck driver is travelling.
Under-vehicle:
When this type of accident occurs, a truck driver suddenly slams on the brakes, in many cases without warning. Then the driver traveling behind the truck continues forward, driving under the semi-trailer. These types of accidents typically result in significant damage to the smaller vehicle.
Tire Blowout:
This is similar to a blowout on a regular passenger car. Still, it is sometimes more severe because it can cause the semi to lose control, creating a dangerous situation for all nearby vehicles.
Jackknife:
Jackknife truck accidents occur when the semi-trailer’s trailer swings in a crash, causing the cab of the vehicle to spin. The trailer then folds up to form a sharp angle, hence the term “jackknife.”
Air Brake
In an air brake accident, the semi-trailer’s brakes fail, often when traveling downhill, and the driver is unable to stop the truck. Because of the stress that heavy loads put on air brakes, it is essential for drivers to monitor the condition of the parts constantly.
Truck Rollovers
While these types of accidents commonly occur at high speeds, rollovers can also happen if the driver is traveling at five mph. Truck rollovers occur when the vehicle’s tires fail to grip the road, causing the driver to lose control and slide sideways.
Who is responsible for the accident? Who is responsible for your injury? The trucker? The company that improperly secured the cargo? Tight schedules that cause truckers to make mistakes? There are many factors involved in this type of accident, and a proper investigation done by Orlando truck accident attorneys will help to find out the party responsible for the accident.
Typically Sustained Injuries in Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are characterized by producing severe injuries. Fortunately, statistics say that truck accidents have a low mortality rate. However, the injuries caused are severe. Below are examples of injuries produced in truck accidents:
Head and Brain Injuries
Some of the most devastating injuries that a truck accident victim can suffer. Brain damage can interfere with the victim’s ability to work, enjoy hobbies, or simply spend time with family and friends. These losses may not be tangible, but they are genuine. The law requires negligent truck drivers or their insurance companies, to give compensation to the victims for these losses.
Back and Neck
These kinds of injuries range from mild to severe and from permanent to temporary. A neck injury could result in permanent paralysis, while a mild neck injury could result in whiplash, a painful but temporary condition.
Internal Injuries: These also vary in severity. Mild bruising to the liver or kidneys may resolve on their own. A severe laceration (cut) to a significant organ may require immediate surgery to save the victim’s life.
Broken Bones
This type of injury is excruciating and leads to significant long-term problems.
Lacerations
Severe lacerations may leave truck accident victims scarring, the need for surgery, and other serious injuries.
Wrongful Death
The most severe truck accident injuries can result in death. In this case, the victim’s legal heirs have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver, the trucking company, and other responsible parties.
An Orlando truck accident lawyer will be able to assist you in your case to obtain compensation to pay for medical bills, recovery treatment, and emotional damages suffered in an accident of this type.
Final Words
At Louis Berk Law, we are aware of this and are willing to lend a helping hand. Our expert personal injury legal team has a high success rate in handling cases of this type. You will have the expertise of personal injury, truck crash or wrongful death lawyers in Orlando.
We speak your language here. Our Spanish-speaking lawyers will ensure fluid communication with our clients to avoid misunderstandings. We offer our clients a free consultation to study their case, and we have a no-win, no-fee policy, so you will not have to worry about expensive professional fees.
If you suffered from a collision with a truck in Orlando, suffered personal injuries, or a member of your family suffered a wrongful death, contact us. We can help you obtain adequate compensation, hold the parties involved accountable, and ensure justice is done.