Heavy truck accidents can lead to devastating injuries and the death of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

 

Heavy trucks used by businesses may be carrying concrete, hazardous materials, or other cargo that increases their weight.

 

When drivers lose control of heavy trucks, they can’t always maneuver themselves out of harm’s way, increasing the risk of injury or death to everyone involved.

 

The Risk of Heavy Trucks

 

The average weight of a car on the road can range between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds. But heavy trucks carrying cargo can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, making it even more important for drivers to be cautious when operating or sharing the road with heavy trucks.

 

Drivers of heavy trucks are positioned higher than other drivers. Their visibility of certain areas around their trucks can be limited, increasing the risk of an accident when smaller vehicles move into blind spots.

 

If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by a heavy truck, a skilled personal injury attorney can help you hold another driver, their employer, and others accountable for your injuries and other damages.

 

The Types of Heavy Trucks Involved in Accidents

There are safety measures that must be put in place by commercial businesses using heavy trucks to transport cargo. Vehicles must be fully functional, and their drivers must have the skills needed to operate them safely.

 

But many drivers work under tight deadlines, which can cause them to drive unsafely in traffic. They may drive for long hours, increasing the risk of falling asleep at the wheel or reducing their reaction time when faced with sudden changes in roadway conditions.

 

The following are common heavy trucks that drivers need to be aware of:

 

• Semi-trailer trucks
• Cement trucks
• Garbage trucks
• Dump trucks
• Postal trucks
• Tow trucks
• Fire trucks
• Fuel trucks
• Rental trucks
• Express delivery trucks
• Service trucks

 

Semi-trailer trucks can be seen traveling cross-country and typically pull trailers for picking up or delivering cargo.

 

Cement trucks carry large drums that mix concrete, water, and sand. These vehicles are used in construction and transport these materials to different construction sites.

 

Garbage and dump trucks are used to pick up and transport debris, trash, and other materials.

 

Postal trucks used to deliver letters and packages make their way to homes and businesses throughout cities. Tow trucks often speed down the roadways to make it to an accident side to haul vehicles after an accident or breakdown.

 

Fire trucks often have to move into oncoming traffic in order to arrive quickly to accident scenes and other emergencies, and fuel trucks transport flammable materials.

 

Large rental trucks may be used on a short-term basis by someone who may not have experience driving a heavy truck. These are typically used for moving purposes or for hauling large pieces of debris to disposal sites.

 

Large service vehicles are used for providing services to business customers. Express delivery companies use heavy trucks to make fast shipments possible.

 

How to Get Compensation for Injuries Resulting From a Heavy-Truck Accident

 

An experienced attorney can assess your case to determine the severity of your injuries, gather evidence, and demonstrate the negligence of another driver to a court judge.

 

Your attorney can help you get the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and recoup financial losses.

 

Without an attorney, accident victims may accept unfair settlement agreements from insurance companies that try to minimize their payouts to injured parties.

 

Your attorney can provide the aggressive representation you need to get the compensation you deserve.

 

Failing to get compensated fairly can put you and your family in a position of financial hardship. Mounting medical bills and the loss of future income can be devastating.

 

Working with an attorney who understands accidents involving heavy trucks is the first step to protecting your rights in a court of law.