America’s truckers have one of the hardest jobs in the country, and most of them do it with honor and integrity. However, due to the demanding nature of the job, it very often does not come without risk. If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, there is a good chance you are seriously hurt. If you wish to know where to go from here, read on to learn more about truck accidents and financial compensation.
What are the most common causes of truck accidents?
The job’s demanding nature is one of the biggest causes of all truck accidents. Truck drivers drive up to 70 hours a week, as compared with the average 40-hour workweek. While the law was changed from 82 hours a week, driving 11 hours out of each 14-hour workday is still enough to leave the average human feeling drowsy and fatigued. Trucks also weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which makes it very complicated to brake. In fact, many truck drivers do not brake in time, causing a nasty accident. A lot of times trucks can require up to 2 football fields worth of space before coming to a complete stop. Trucks also have poor visibility, and these large blind spots make it very difficult for the truck driver to see other cars and pedestrians around his or her vehicle. Lastly, trucks require a great deal of regular mechanical maintenance, as they are making trips all around the country. If a truck is not well-maintained, any number of things can go wrong, causing an accident.
How do I receive compensation after being involved in a truck accident?
Truck accidents are particularly damaging towards pedestrians or other smaller vehicles, so chances are if you were in an accident, it was severe. With all personal injury cases, to receive compensation, you must prove the other party’s negligence led to the injuries you have sustained. However, if you are injured in a commercial truck accident, this may be harder to prove than you think. The truck and insurance companies will most likely hire a team of legal experts who will do anything in their power to deny you of the compensation you deserve. While most trucks do have an Event Data Recorder, which can tell if the truck was speeding at the time of your accident, truck companies will often wipe this data clean before anyone else can access it. This is why it is so crucial you hire an experienced attorney who will write them a spoliation letter demanding they do not discard this information. If they do, your attorney can use this against them in court.
Contact our New York City firm
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident as a result of another party’s negligence, contact Swerling Law today to schedule a free initial consultation.
