Truck accidents can be devastating for those they injure. Because of the significant size disparity between large trucks and passenger vehicles they share the roadways with, truck accident victims can suffer serious injuries that are disfiguring or disabling and may even result in death. Given the serious nature of truck accidents, it is important for truck accident victims to know that their legal rights are protected.
Large commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they are fully loaded. On the other hand, most passenger vehicles weight approximately 4,000 pounds. Because large trucks are as much as 20 times larger than the average passenger vehicle, a collision with a commercial truck can be catastrophic for victims. Following the truck accident, victims may notice medical bills pile up as they suffer lost wages because they are unable to work because of their injuries. A personal injury claim for damages may help truck accident victims with their physical, financial, and emotional damages.
Truck accident victims may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. Liability may be imposed on a negligent truck driver, a truck company, or both depending on the relationship between them and the other circumstances at hand. The trucking industry is regulated for the safety of the public. If a truck driver or trucking company fails to follow regulations, or is careless in another way, they may be liable to compensate injured victims for the harm suffered. Trucking companies and drivers must follow rules related to rest breaks, as an example, and can be negligent if they are driving while distracted, impaired or fatigued, as other examples.
Personal injury legal protections provide remedies to injured truck accident victims that can help them focus on the recovery process. It is useful for victims and their families to be familiar with these legal remedies and the options available to protect them.