Siloam Springs Truck Accident Lawyers
An accident involving a truck is not the same as an accident between two motor vehicles, with the main difference being the enormous, crushing weight of a big rig. A semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A car can weigh anywhere from 2,500 pounds to 6,000 pounds depending on the type of vehicle. There is no doubt when a large semi meets a smaller vehicle, the outcome is never good.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Serious Injuries in Siloam Springs Trucking Accidents
Truck accidents are also different in that they are a jurisdictional nightmare involving multiple insurance companies, rules, regulations, and owners. There are often numerous defendants in a Siloam Springs truck accident that may include:
- The trucker’s employer(s)
- The trucking firm’s parent company
- The rig’s owner(s)
- The maker of another vehicle in the collision
- The trucker behind the wheel
- The owner (s) and/or driver of the other vehicles in the crash
- A third-party defendant
- The trailer, cab, or any other truck parts manufacturer
- The owner of the cab and/or trailer
- The mechanic responsible for maintaining the truck
In a wrongful death case, the family of the deceased must provide evidence to hold a trucking company, the trucker, and/or the insurance company liable for the crash. The trucking company’s main concern is maintaining its reputation and not paying out too much money.
It is important to know that it is not just 18-wheelers that may be involved in a Siloam Springs truck accident. Other types of trucks that may be involved in a collision include:
- Delivery trucks
- Cement trucks
- Tankers
- Dump trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Tow trucks
- Flatbed trucks
Typical Causes of Trucking Accidents in Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Common causes of truck accidents can include:
- Brake issues
- Driving while distracted
- Driving too fast for road conditions
- Driver error
- DWI/DUI
- Driver not familiar with the road
- Equipment malfunction, failure
- Illegal traffic maneuver
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Improperly secured cargo
- Improper or no truck maintenance
- Inadequate training
- Inexperienced drivers
- Mechanical malfunction
- Not recognizing a risk
- Oversized freight load
- Poor driver training
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Poor road conditions
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Unrealistic trip times, carrier pressure
- Weather conditions
Common Injuries Sustained in a Truck Accident
Large truck crashes are often tragic and may result in serious, permanent injuries, including:
- Amputations
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Concussions
- Crush injuries
- Death
- Herniated discs
- Knee trauma
- Leg injuries
- Neck injuries
- PTSD
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, we understand your concerns following a truck accident. When can you return to work? Who is going to pay the medical bills? What happens if I am partially or permanently disabled? We have the answers for you, and our goal is to ensure you know your legal rights and have enough information to make informed decisions about filing a lawsuit. Our Siloam Springs, Arkansas, truck accident lawyers are here to help you. Your initial consultation to discuss your case is free.
Critical Reasons Explained in Trucking Accidents
In every truck accident, there are critical events and critical reasons for the event. A critical event makes the accident unavoidable. Three major critical events can happen before a trucking accident. They include rear-ending another vehicle (22 percent), losing control of the truck due to road conditions or speeding (29 percent), and the rig running off the road or out of its lane (32 percent).
A critical reason is an immediate predecessor to a critical event. Usually, this relates to driver performance (87 percent). The performance, or lack thereof, can include driving while distracted, driving while fatigued, bad choices made while driving, and not realizing the driving conditions.
A critical reason can also include medical events, a seizure, or a reaction to medications. These critical events can create the perfect storm for accidents. Additional critical reasons can include braking issues, legal and illegal drug use, unfamiliar roadways, and traffic flow issues.
In 2020 72 percent of the large trucks involved in fatal traffic crashes nationwide were heavy, large trucks, roughly 26,000 lbs. These crashes resulted in 4,96 deaths, a 1 percent drop from the 5,032 fatalities in 2019. Occupants of other vehicles represented 71 percent of those killed in truck crashes.
Further data also shows that 76 percent of the deadly crashes happen on weekdays, from 6 a.m. Monday to 5:59 p.m. Friday, and truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had a higher percentage of prior crashes.
Contact the Siloam Springs Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield Today
If someone you loved was involved in a Siloam Springs fatal truck accident, call the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield by calling (479) 361-3575. Our dedicated team of Siloam Springs fatal truck accident attorneys is here to help.
Call us today for a free initial consultation and to find out what you can expect should you file a personal injury lawsuit. We know you have questions, and we can answer them for you. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield is just one quick call away: (479) 361-3575.