One of the most common types of truck accidents is when a large truck rear-ends a smaller passenger vehicle. We tend to see these types of collisions because the stopping time for tractor-trailers or big rigs is much greater than for smaller vehicles such as cars or SUVs. Truck drivers who are distracted or fatigued may not realize how close they are to the vehicle ahead until it’s too late. Inexperienced truck drivers also may leave insufficient distance between themselves and the vehicle ahead to be able to stop in time.
Due to the weight and size of these large trucks, a rear-end collision can be devastating. Such crashes often result in catastrophic injuries if not fatalities. These are also the types of crashes where a smaller vehicle might slide under the truck on impact and get wedged underneath. This often results in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage and even decapitations.
What Causes These Accidents?
A majority of large truck rear end accidents are caused by truck driver negligence or the trucking company’s failure to properly maintain its trucks. Here are some of the most common causes of large truck rear-end accidents:
• Distracted driving: Texting and talking on handheld phones and devices are prohibited for interstate commercial drivers. However, we see a number of news reports of distracted truck drivers who cause accidents by driving while eating, watching videos or talking or texting on a handheld device, etc. When a truck driver takes his eyes off the road or attention away from the act of driving, the consequences can be devastating.
• Fatigued driving: Even though there are federal hours-of-service rules for truck drivers, which require them to get adequate rest before getting on the road, truck drivers and trucking companies routinely violate these regulations in order to meet deadlines and maximize profits.
• Speeding: Driving a truck at an excessive rate of speed may prevent the truck from stopping in time to avoid a crash. Large trucks have a stopping time that is 40 percent greater than regular vehicles.
• Mechanical failure: When a truck’s brakes are not properly maintained, malfunctioning brakes may prevent the truck from stopping in time. Brake failure is one of the most common reasons for rear-end truck accidents involving mechanical issues.
What Steps Should You Take?
Gather information. At the accident scene, it would be a good idea to get as much information as possible from the truck driver including his or her commercial driver’s license number, the vehicle’s license plate, registration information, insurance information and name and contact information for the trucking company or truck owner. Take as many photographs and shoot as much video as you can on your cell phone. Capture the damage to the vehicle, injuries to the parties, roadway conditions etc. File a police report and obtain a copy for your records. Your truck accident lawyer can also help you obtain these records.
Get prompt medical attention and treatment. It is important that you get the care you need right away and follow your doctor’s orders. Doing so will give you the best shot at a speedy recovery and create documentation for the types of injuries you’ve sustained and the treatment you have received.
Preserve evidence. Trucking companies will often do everything they can to remove each shred of evidence from the scene that works against them. You need an experienced truck accident lawyer in your corner who will look out for your best interests by preserving critical pieces of evidence such as the truck’s data recorder or black box, truck driver logs (paper and/or electronic), vehicle maintenance records, cell phone records, etc.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 46 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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