Semi Truck Accident

Semi trucks are an integral part of our shipping and commerce systems. They literally transport billions of tons of goods shipped and delivered using ground transport, also known as surface transportation.

Certainly the hard work put in by the drivers has to be appreciated. Unfortunately, from time to time, there is a truck accident. And when it comes to accidents with these big rigs, the results are rarely minor; rather, too often they result in a fatal accident.

Over the last decade, consumers are purchasing more and more products on the internet. This results in the need to ship more product, which is typically a combination or air and trucking. Trucking companies and drivers are as under more and greater pressure to meet deadlines and quotas. Because there is increased trucking traffic, combined with an increase in vehicles on our highways, the result as been thousands of truck related accidents every year, and those problems are equipment failure and driver fault.

Big Rig trucks can weight tens of thousands of pounds, and to get that weight moving and stopping safely can place the tractor trailer and its components under great strain. Here are some examples of things that can go wrong:

Tire Blow Up
- Some of these semi trucks have up to 18 wheels (and in the case of double trailers, even more (up to 22-4 wheels), but that doesn't mean they are completely safe from tire failure.
- Even a temporary off-balancing effect can have serious consequences, resulting in unexpected load shifting or rolling.
Load Shift
- If a truck load is not secured or tied down correctly, or if the load weight is not evenly distributed, it create an unbalanced load prone to shift. A load typically weighing thousands of pounds, when it shifts, strains the tractor trailer's overall balance, causing the driver to lose control.
Improper Maintenance and Inspection
- Rigs have complex engines and parts that must be able to handle big loads. If maintenance and inspections are negligent then equipment failure may occur.
Brake Failure
- The braking system for a semi truck is one of the most important safety and control features the truck driver has at his disposal. Bringing freight to a stop requires an increased time and distance, and if the brakes are not performing optimally, the stopping procedure can be compromised.

Highway driving is dangerous enough, and every motorist feels some unease when driving alongside a big rig truck. The semi truck's large size, rumbling engine, and air pressure release sounds, signal to us that this is a large, dangerous, vehicle.

If the truck driver fails to drive carefully, then the results are often catastrophic. While there are many instances of truck driver error which arise under the circumstances, here are some more common examples:

Victims of semi truck accidents rarely escape with minor injuries; instead, if they are fortunate enough to survive, they often face a lifetime of challenges, including severe burn injury, spinal cord injury, head injury, amputation, and traumatic brain injury. The medical expenses and rehabilitation bills associated with these serious personal injuries are higher than many families earn in a lifetime.

In a serious truck crash involving serious personal injury or wrongful death, take a moment to consider your family's financial security. Contact an experienced auto accident attorney at our injury law firm as soon as possible. We may be able to help you take the next steps of securing justice as well helping your family ensure its future financial stability in the face of all you have lost.

Remember, the earlier you contact an experienced accident attorney at our office, the faster we can begin the investigation and gather the evidence to move the case forward quickly, to achieve just results.