There are approximately 15 million tractor trailer trucks actively operating across the United States. The roads are filled with a constant stream of these vehicles, and the statistics tell a story of accidents and injury, despite the trucking industry working hard to maintain safety standards. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are, on average, 475,000 large truck accidents every year.
If you were involved in an accident with a truck, you may be entitled to compensation. Truck drivers are often very heavily insured for millions of dollars due to the nature of what they do, transporting goods for large companies and industry. The Tinley Park tractor trailer truck accident lawyers at Pintas & Mullins can help you navigate the complex issues of dealing with insurance carriers and get you the compensation to which you may be entitled.
How Truck Accidents Are Different From Car Accidents
Tractor trailer trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, which is about 20 times heavier than an average sedan. Despite safety regulations that prohibit truck drivers from driving their vehicles for more than a set number of hours each day, drivers are offered financial incentives for traveling large distances in less time.
These mixed messages can have dire consequences. Driving such a large vehicle for hours on end is dangerous for everyone involved. When a truck of that size is involved in an accident, the damages can be devastating. They include:
- Increased chance of death: According to the FMCSA, there are between 3,000 and 4,000 deaths due to truck accidents every year.
- Injuries tend to be more serious: Compared to car accidents, the injuries sustained in a truck accident tend to be more severe.
- Property damage soars: The weight and overall size of an 18-wheeler commercial freight truck can do much more damage than a passenger car.
- Medical bills are higher: Victims of truck-related accidents have higher medical bills. More serious injuries mean more time in the hospital and a longer recovery time.
The team at Pintas & Mullins can help to calculate your current and future pain and suffering to help obtain the compensation to which you may be entitled. Call us today at (800) 794-0444 for a free evaluation of your case.
Proving Negligence Can Be Tricky
Negligence means “failure to exercise reasonable care in one’s actions, resulting in injury and damage to another person or property.” In an accident of this type, more than one party may be held liable, and there are certain key things that need to be addressed in order to establish a case on your behalf.
The truck driver, the company that owns the truck, and even the truck’s manufacturer may be held liable. You may be entitled to compensation from them all if negligence can be proven. According to the FMCSA, there are three main issues that lead to trailer truck accidents.
Top 3 Causes of Tractor Trailer Accidents
- Driver error: Drivers are behind the wheel for 10 or more hours per day. When a sleep-deprived or drowsy driver is operating a truck of that size, accidents can happen.
- Poorly maintained trucks: With the pressure to deliver, and incentives for fast turnaround times, trucks are often driven thousands of miles per week and may not be properly maintained. This creates a very dangerous situation that sometimes leads to accidents.
- Improperly loaded cargo: Loading a commercial truck is regulated by law for a reason. If they aren’t loaded properly, accidents may happen.
A Tinley Park tractor trailer truck accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will can help determine if negligence played a part in your accident, and determine who may be held liable.
For a free legal consultation with a Tractor Trailer Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Tinley Park, call (800) 794-0444
Economic and Noneconomic Damages
Settlement amounts for your accident with a truck are determined by looking at the different ways your life has been affected. The economic and noneconomic impacts of the accident are both taken into consideration.
Here are examples of economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic Factors:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
Noneconomic Factors
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of sexual function
If you suffered injuries or damages because of someone else’s negligence, a Tinley Park tractor trailer truck accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will look at all of the possible ways in which you may be compensated for your accident. We are not afraid to take on the tough cases.
Tinley Park Tractor Trailer Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Call the Team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
If you have been in a truck-related accident, the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is here to help you determine your next steps and make sure you understand all your options. We can help to gather any necessary evidence related to the incident, explore whether negligence can be established and handle all of your accident-related insurance issues.
Call today to speak with a member of our team at (800) 794-0444.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
