Some of the most tragic traffic collisions are those that involve semi trucks (i.e. big rigs, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers) and other vehicles. Because of the massive weight and size of large trucks, when an accident occurs, it can often lead to severe injuries and even fatalities. In fact, in 2020, there were around 1,287 truck accident injuries and 61 fatalities in the state of Wisconsin.
If you've sustained an injury in a truck collision, you should have an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side for your personal injury case.
Common Causes of Truck Accident Personal Injury Cases
Some common causes of truck accidents include:
1. Fatigued Driving
Every year, nearly 700 lives are taken due to drowsy driving. Even so, with truck drivers, driving while fatigued is unfortunately very common, particularly because of how much pressure these drivers are placed under in order to meet the tight goals put into place by their company.
2. Distracted Driving
Next on the list of common causes of truck collisions is distracted driving. Truckers often drive long distances. When these drivers are behind the wheel for long periods of time, it can easily lead to boredom, resulting in distracted driving such as:
- Playing with the radio while driving
- Texting while driving
- Eating while driving
Consequently, distracted driving activities like these can compromise the driver's safety as well as the safety of other motorists on the road, their passengers, and pedestrians.
3. Faulty Trucks or Truck Parts
Defective or faulty truck parts not only put the driver in harm's way but everybody else that shares the road. Many times, these malfunctions aren't even apparent or obvious to the naked eye. Because of this, trucking companies must have all their trucks inspected regularly to ensure they're in good working order before they hit the road. But, many truck companies put these important checks off because of the expense or the time it takes their trucks off the roads.
What Steps Should You Take if You're Involved in a Truck Accident?
If you're involved in a truck collision, there are certain steps you need to take along with consulting with an experienced truck accident lawyer.
1. Call Emergency Services
After a truck accident, call 9-1-1 right away. Because semi-truck collisions often inflict a significant amount of bodily injury and property damage, you should contact law enforcement as well as paramedics. Police officers will help clear the road and will fill out an accident report that is a crucial piece to your personal injury case.
2. Gather Evidence From the Truck Accident Scene
Because of the weight and size of big trucks, most truck collisions result in debilitating injuries that require emergency medical treatment. But, if this doesn't apply to your case, while at the accident scene, you should try to gather up as much evidence as you can, such as:
- Videos and pictures of the accident scene and your visible injuries
- The weather conditions at the time of the accident
- Traffic signs near the scene
- Skid marks on the road
- The vehicles involved in the collision and their road placement
Any other evidence that helps to show what occurred can be helpful to your personal injury case. Your truck collision attorney will want to see this evidence.
3. Obtain Contact Information of Any Witnesses
If there are any witnesses that saw the truck collision, get their contact information (name and phone number). They may be able to provide further details about the accident that can help with your case.
4. Exchange Essential Information With the Other Driver Involved
After a truck accident, you'll want to exchange your personal information with the other driver(s) involved in the collision. This will include their name, contact information, insurance information, and driver's license number.
Let Us Help-Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer Today at Bykhovsky Law LLC
Here at Bykhovsky Law LLC, we work tirelessly to build strong cases for our clients to hold all liable parties in a truck collision responsible. We'll move quickly and aggressively to help you recover the maximum compensation possible for your case. Contact us today to speak with one of our skilled truck accident lawyers about your potential personal injury case.
