In this post, our
Missouri truck accident lawyers answer five questions we frequently hear from the victims of semi-truck crashes.
Missouri semi-truck accidents: Five frequently asked questions
1. What is a commercial truck?
A commercial truck is a large vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds
that is used in the transportation of goods or related business. These
trucks typically consist of a single-unit truck or tractor and one or
more trailers. The
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets a commercial vehicle maximum weight of 80,000 pounds. This
means that commercial trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times as much as the average
passenger vehicle, and they typically require 20 to 40% farther to come
to a complete stop.
2. Are semi-truck accidents more dangerous than collisions involving other
kinds of vehicles?
Yes, especially for the occupants of passenger cars and trucks. In collisions
involving semis and smaller vehicles, occupants of the small vehicles
are considerably more vulnerable to serious, life threatening injury.
According to the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 3,413 people were killed in U.S. crashes involving commercial
trucks. Of those fatalities, only 14% were the occupants of the commercial
trucks. By comparison, 72% of those killed were occupants of passenger
vehicles, and 13% were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.
3. What factors commonly contribute to collisions between commercial trucks
and passenger vehicles?
There are several factors that often play a role in semi-truck accidents,
including the following: driver error; fatigue; distraction; speeding;
truck limits (such as braking distance and visibility); equipment failure;
and improperly loaded trailers.
4. What steps should I take if I've been injured in an accident caused
by a commercial truck driver?
First and foremost, you'll want to seek medical treatment and report
the accident to law enforcement officials. Receiving prompt treatment
for your injuries will help protect your right to compensation in the
future, and an accident report will provide a formal record of how the
accident happened and what factors may have been involved. You'll
also want to notify your insurance company about the crash. Finally, it's
often wise to seek legal advice - and the sooner, the better. Personal
injury claims connected to commercial truck accidents can be extremely
complicated, often involving the truck driver and the trucking company
(among other parties). An attorney can give you an idea of your options
and help you determine the best way to proceed.
5. What kind of damages can I recover in a personal injury claim?
If you've been injured in a Missouri crash caused by a negligent truck
driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Depending
on the circumstances surrounding your accident, you may be able to recover
compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and
disability.