Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded with cargo, and they can be up to 75 feet in length. Due to their enormous size, commercial trucks can cause extensive damage to passenger vehicles. Victims of non-fatal commercial truck accidents could suffer serious injuries, such as paralysis, spinal cord trauma, whiplash, burns, lacerations, bruises, broken or fractured bones, internal organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, and other types of injuries.
In order to pursue financial relief for medical bills, disability, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and other damages, it will be necessary to file a personal injury claim. An investigation will determine who is responsible for the crash. Unlike car accidents, where either the driver or car manufacturer is usually liable, there are many parties who may be held responsible for a commercial truck wreck.
These include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The cargo loading crew
- The maintenance company
Reckless driving behaviors account for a majority of commercial truck wrecks each year in the United States. These include speeding, tailgating, weaving across lanes of traffic, and drifting onto a soft shoulder. Truck drivers must avoid drunk or distracted driving, and must exercise caution on the road to avoid an accident. Failure to drive in a reasonably safe and legal manner could have devastating results.
Commercial trucking companies also have a responsibility to comply with the regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Failure to abide by strict hiring practices, enforce mandatory rest breaks for drivers, and perform necessary maintenance on vehicles could cause a crash. In some cases, trucking companies will hire third-party maintenance and cargo loading crews. These parties may be held liable for negligence in a commercial truck accident.
Palmisano & Goodman, P.A. Will Help You Seek Justice from Those Responsible
At Palmisano & Goodman, P.A., we are committed to fighting for justice on behalf of our clients. Our firm will conduct a thorough investigation and gather evidence to build your case. Evidence may include witness statements, pictures or videos of the crash, police reports, medical records, and trucking records. From start to finish, we will aggressively uphold your right to a settlement. If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, trust our Woodbridge truck accident attorneys to guide you through the legal process.
Contact us today to receive a free initial consultation.