Accidents with steel trucks can be catastrophic for anyone involved, whether it be car drivers, car passengers, or other road users. The sheer size and weight of a steel truck, as well as the fact that trucks are much more difficult to maneuver and take longer to come to a stop than a regular vehicle, can contribute to extensive injuries and material damage in these types of accidents.
If you have suffered injuries and property damage or lost a loved one in an accident with a steel truck, a Bartlett steel truck accident lawyer can help you file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case.
Injuries in Accidents with Steel Trucks
While all motor vehicle accidents can potentially lead to devastating injuries, fatalities, and mounting medical costs for those impacted, accidents with a large steel truck can be particularly devastating. Sometimes, injuries and disabilities from steel truck accidents can be permanent and life-changing, with victims needing help with their daily lives and not being able to return to work. Serious accidents can lead to injuries that may require extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation.
Some of the injuries seen in steel truck accidents can be painful and costly, including:
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other head injuries
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Accidents with steel trucks can potentially cause many more injuries, such as scrapes, bruises, and lacerations from flying glass and other projectile objects at impact.
Fatalities can also happen in accidents with large and heavy steel trucks. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 5,000 people were killed in accidents with large trucks in 2017—an increase of 9 percent over 2016. Of these fatalities, almost three-fourths of those killed in the accidents were people in other vehicles.
If you or a loved one were severely injured in a steel truck accident and now must deal with the consequences and medical costs of injuries, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today. Our team of Bartlett steel truck accident lawyers can help you determine if you could hold a trucking company responsible for your losses.
Compensation in Steel Truck Accidents
Several factors can have an influence on the types and amounts of compensation a victim may receive after an accident with a steel truck. If you have suffered devastating injuries and are unable to return to work, you could potentially receive more compensation than someone who has only minor injuries from an accident.
However, compensation can vary even between similar accidents and is difficult to predict. Every case is unique, but some of the compensation you may receive after an accident can include:
- Medical bills associated with the accident
- Future medical bills
- Medical equipment such as wheelchairs and crutches
- Home and/or health aides
- Lost income due to the accident
- Future lost income and lost earning potential
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
In a wrongful death case, close relatives of the deceased could also receive funeral expenses and compensation for loss of companionship, as well as other damages.
There could be other compensation depending on your unique accident case—for example, if a truck driver or truck company was particularly negligent, you might receive punitive damages. A Bartlett steel truck accident lawyer can advise you on the types of damages that may be available for you. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Steel Truck Accident Causes and Liability
There can be many reasons for accidents with steel trucks. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver-related causes contribute to a large number of accidents, such as drunk driving, distracted driving, or driving when fatigued. Speed—whether driving above the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions—can also contribute to accidents. A large and heavy steel truck can take a considerable amount of time to slow down and stop, and a driver has the responsibility to drive accordingly. Some other causes for accidents with steel trucks can be:
- Wrongly loaded cargo
- Vehicle defects
- Unqualified and inexperienced drivers
- Poor training
- Inadequate maintenance of vehicles
Determining Responsibility for Accidents and Damages
Establishing liability in a steel truck accident can be challenging. Several parties could be liable. The truck driver could be liable if they were driving under the influence of any drugs or alcohol, above the posted speed limit, or when overly tired.
The truck company may also be responsible. The company may have been hiring negligently or compromising safety by cutting costs. They may have been rushing a driver by denying them appropriate rest periods or neglected important maintenance of their vehicles.
A third-party contractor could also be responsible. For example, if an accident happened due to wrongly loaded cargo or a mistake with maintenance and service, the responsible party might be a cargo loader or a mechanic. A vehicle or part manufacturer could also be negligent if the vehicle had a defect that caused the accident.
Determining liability in a truck accident can be complicated. There may be several parties that acted negligently and share responsibility for causing an accident. Additionally, trucking companies can try to skirt responsibility and argue that they are not liable for driver error or faulty equipment.
For a free legal consultation with a Steel Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Bartlett, call (800) 794-0444
We Can Fight for You
If you were hurt in a devastating accident with a large steel truck and are now dealing with the painful and costly consequences, a Bartlett steel truck accident lawyer can help. We can carefully and comprehensively analyze your case by looking at police records, medical records, and by interviewing witnesses. We can also represent you in court and seek help from expert witnesses to prove negligence of a driver or company, if needed.
You should not be responsible for your expenses and losses due to someone else’s negligence—we can try to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. We aim to protect you from any future financial consequences resulting from a crash with a steel truck, such as future medical bills and future lost earning capacity.
We can fight for you and build your case while you focus on recovering from the consequences of an accident. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case and learn about possible compensation for your injuries.
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