Because of the size disparity between commercial trucks and other vehicles they share the roadways with, truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries to victims. The potentially life-altering nature of an unexpected truck accident is reason enough for victims of truck accidents to be familiar with the legal protections available to them.
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they are fully loaded which is 20 times heavier than the average 4,000 pound passenger vehicle large trucks are sharing the roadways with. As a result,
truck accidents can be catastrophic and result in serious harm to victims and their families. Personal injury and wrongful death legal options stand at the ready to help assist truck accident victims and their families with the process of recovering compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering when they have been harmed by a negligent truck driver or suffered a fatal truck accident. Wrongful death damages may also be available.
Depending on the circumstances, and the relationship between the parties, both a negligent truck driver and trucking company may be liable to compensate victims and their family members for the harm they have suffered. A negligent truck driver may be responsible to compensate victims for their medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering following a catastrophic truck accident. Violations of federal regulations, placed on truck drivers to help keep the public safe, such as not taking required rest breaks or using a cell phone while driving, may be evidence of negligence on the part of the truck driver.
Because truck accidents, and trucking accident liability, can sometimes be complex, it can help to have trained guidance through the process of bringing a personal injury claim for damages. The legal remedies available to victims can help them with some of the struggles they face following a truck accident so they can better focus on the recovery process.