Commercial trucks pose a significant hazard on our nation’s roads. The figures do not lie: in 2022, 120,200 trucks were involved in injury crashes, with 5,837 fatal crashes taking place in the same year. Given the size of a commercial truck, a shortage of available truck drivers, and truck drivers’ demanding schedules, it may come as no shock that commercial truck accidents are at an all-time high.
In this blog, our Forsyth County semi-truck accident lawyers discuss the challenges that passenger vehicles face when sharing the roads with commercial trucks and the types of compensation typically available to accident victims.
Longer Stopping Distances
A fully loaded truck traveling at 65 miles per hour may take as long as 525 feet to come to a complete stop (compared to the average passenger car, which can stop at 316 feet). This creates a substantial problem when traveling in bumper-to-bumper traffic, when you may need to stop immediately.
Driver Fatigue
Truckers must follow the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations instituted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Under these rules, truck drivers are restricted on how many hours they can be behind the wheel daily. Under the current regulations, commercial drivers are allowed to drive up to 14 hours in each day, with at least seven consecutive hours spent sleeping (in what is known as the “sleeper berth.”)
Even with these precautions put in place, two-thirds (2/3) of truck drivers have reported feeling drowsy while driving. Many drivers fail to recognize the dangers of driving fatigued. A recent study showed that driving after 20 hours without sleep is comparable to driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08%.
Distracted Driving
Like other motorists, truck drivers are not immune to distractions. Common distractions for commercial truck drivers include eating, drinking, talking on a cell phone, using a GPS, or speaking with dispatch. Distracted driving has become such a problem in recent years that it is estimated to cause about 10% of all fatal truck accidents.
Speeding
Of the nearly 11,000 fatal crashes caused by speeding, roughly 21.6% of these crashes involved a large truck. Given the momentum of traveling downhill, truck drivers are notorious for speeding. While the reasoning is somewhat understandable (truck drivers want to avoid burning out their brakes), a commercial truck weighing 80,000 pounds is bound to create disastrous consequences when forced to stop suddenly.
Large Blind Spots
If you were involved in an accident with a large truck, it may be possible that the truck driver simply did not see you. Commercial trucks have large blind spots on the vehicle’s sides, front, and rear. An estimated 14% of truck accidents are caused by a trucker failing to check the vehicle’s blind spots. When driving on the highway, truck drivers are responsible for checking their mirrors continuously to ensure safe lane changes.
Compensatory Damages
Truck accident victims may be entitled to any of the following forms of compensation:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills, i.e., hospital; orthopedic
- Medical imaging and laboratory tests
- Rehabilitative treatment
- Home modifications
- Medical equipment
- Cost for vehicle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering, including disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Punitive damages to punish reckless or intentional misconduct
When you work with our Forsyth County semi-truck accident lawyers, we will help you receive maximum compensation on your claim. Our semi-truck accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case, gather all the relevant evidence, and submit all your damages to the insurance company. We know how to negotiate with claims adjusters and are not a “quick settlement firm.” Thus, we will not settle until you receive the compensation required to cover all your losses.
Injured in a Large Truck Crash? Contact Our Forsyth County Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers Today
With roughly 400 people being injured daily in truck collisions throughout the U.S., our dedicated legal team understands the gravity of such an event. At Banks, Stubbs, & McFarland, LLP, our Forsyth County semi-truck accident lawyers will stop at nothing until you are awarded the compensation that is rightfully yours. To schedule your initial consultation or to learn more, contact us online.
