Every time we get in our cars, we are likely to share the road with a commercial tractor-trailer. For the most part, these massive trucks are just as safe and harmless as many other vehicles around us. However, in the blink of an eye, accidents can happen.
And when these accidents involve a commercial truck, other people involved in the crash can suffer catastrophic injuries.
Big crashes, major injuries
The weight and size of commercial trucks mean they can cause massive damage in the event of a crash. They also take longer to stop and can more difficult to keep in control when road conditions change suddenly.
Unfortunately, the people in smaller vehicles often suffer the most severe injuries in a truck accident. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 67 percent of people killed in a large truck accident were occupants in cars.
Those who survive an accident often experience life-long injuries, including:
- Back and neck problems
- Brain injuries
- Amputation
- Severe burns
- Crushing injuries
Further, survivors and their families can struggle with emotional stress, depression and anxiety after a traumatic accident.
Who is responsible for these damages?
Because truck accident injuries can be severe or fatal, victims and their families often want to know who is responsible for the crash and, thus, the damages.
Truck accidents can be more complicated than a crash between two passenger vehicles, so determining liability can be a little tricky. However, in general, the following parties may be responsible:
- A negligent or reckless trucker
- A truck owner who failed to perform routine maintenance on the vehicle
- Employers who hire untrained or unsafe drivers for their fleet
- Supervisors who ignore or intentionally violate state and federal regulations
- Defective product manufacturers or sellers
One or more of these parties may be at fault for an accident and financially responsible for damages suffered by injured victims and their families.
And considering how devastating these accidents can be, assigning responsibility and seeking financial remedies can prove to have a dramatic impact on the recovery process.