Recently a semi-truck bound for Shreveport from Corpus Christi flipped onto its side after the driver lost control of the vehicle. The truck was rounding a turn when the cargo, 20 tons of steel plates, shifted in the trailer, flipping the truck over. No other drivers were hurt in the crash, and the truck driver emerged unscathed because he was wearing his seatbelt.
While this story has a happy ending, most truck accidents result in mangled metal and lost lives. Trucks are particularly dangerous because of the sheer weight they carry on the road. Semi-trucks weigh an average of 80,000 lbs, compared to the average car that weighs 5,000 lbs. This weight disparity makes semi-trucks the most hazardous vehicles on the road. Being hit by such large vehicles could cause catastrophic injuries.
A 2008 report by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that 380,000 large trucks were involved in accidents on America's roads. More than 4,000 people died and 90,000 were injured in these crashes. Typical causes included driver fatigue, driver error (through aggressive driving or speeding), intoxication or substance abuse, and mechanical errors. Most crashes occurred on weekdays in rural areas during the day (between 6:00 a.m. and 5:59 p.m.).
For those hurt in a truck accident, Louisiana law allows injured people to be compensated for their injuries. Essentially, an injured party would seek money damages based on a truck driver's negligence. Because they drive such dangerous vehicles, truckers owe a duty to other drivers to use reasonable care in operating their vehicles. When a trucker causes an accident, that duty is breached and injured parties hold him or her liable failing to use such care. Injured parties may seek compensation for medical expenses incident to the accident, lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as future treatment and rehabilitation expenses. These costs can quickly exceed a driver's own insurance policy limits. Because of this, federal regulations require that trucking companies carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance.
Every truck accident has its unique circumstances and causes, but time is of the essence in every case. To understand your rights and options, or the potential value of your claim, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.
