Help for Victims of Rollover Truck Accidents
Semi-trailer trucks are one of the largest vehicles traveling the roads of the United States. They are not only intimidating to automobile drivers passing by, but they can also become very unnerving to truck drivers who must keep them stable in inclement weather and hazardous road conditions. When these trucks become difficult to control, serious accidents can occur, such as rollover truck accidents.
Rollover truck accidents are one of the most common types of accidents our clients have been involved in. If you have ever noticed a semi-truck lying on its side or even upside-down, you have most likely witnessed a rollover truck accident. These accidents can happen in various ways, but the most common instances that we have seen include a truck speeding around a curve, a trucker overcorrecting themselves, driving in inclement weather conditions, and poor road design.
Most of the time, these accidents occur because the truck loses stability, meaning that the weight is not even on all wheels. An example of this is when a truck drives too fast around a curve and the weight shifts to one side. This can and most likely will result in a rollover.
The direct causes of rollover accidents
While there can be many different causes of rollover truck accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) states that the following are the main causes of cargo truck rollovers:
- Driver error (78%)
- Vehicle conditions such as part defects (54%)
- Load size (63%)
Some examples of driver error are speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving, aggressive driving, failing to use turn signals, and running stop signs and lights.
Common injuries caused by Kennewick rollover truck accidents
When semi-trucks and other vehicles are involved in rollover truck accidents, occupants of passenger vehicles have a very high chance of dying. The main reason for this is because these large trucks are much bigger and weigh about 30 times more than a smaller passenger vehicle. Therefore, the amount of impact and weight that a victim feels is hard for the human body to sustain.
If they are fortunate enough to survive, they will experience severe catastrophic injuries that will take years to recover from. The following are some of the most common injuries that victims of rollover truck accidents suffer:
- Brain and skull injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken hips and pelvis
- Shattered bones
- Loss of limbs
- Severe burns
- Internal organ damage
- Neck injuries
When a victim experiences a catastrophic injury, there is a high chance that they will never fully recover. In fact, they will most likely spend the rest of their life learning to adapt to their new way of living. As a result, victims typically undergo multiple surgeries, spend lots of time in rehabilitation facilities, and take several different medications to help them with pain.
Because of the severity of the injuries caused by a rollover truck accident, you can experience high medical expenses. These expenses should not have to be paid out of your own pocket. Let the Kennewick truck accident lawyers from Telaré Law help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Can truck companies and employers prevent rollover accidents?
Every single semi-truck company has an obligation to implement reasonable guidelines to ensure that safety remains a priority among their truck drivers and others on the road. Therefore, we believe there are certain steps that should be taken to prevent rollover accidents, such as:
- Hire educated and experienced truck drivers
- Train and supervise beginner truck drivers for a proper amount of time
- Routinely inspect trucks, maintain them, and make any necessary repairs
- Make sure the cargo load is correct and will not shift or become unstable
- Follow the federal rules on truck driver hours to prevent drowsiness and fatigue
Determining liability for a rollover truck accident
Determining liability for a rollover truck accident can become complicated very quickly. However, with the assistance of our Kennewick personal injury attorneys at Telaré Law, it is not impossible. We will thoroughly investigate to find the exact cause of the accident as well as determine who is responsible. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, the parties who may be found liable include:
- The truck driver and their employer
- Another automobile driver who caused the rollover
- A third-party company that handles the cargo or vehicle maintenance
- The manufacturer of the semi-truck or defective products
If you have suffered injuries in a rollover truck accident, Telaré Law can help you file a claim against the responsible parties. If your claim is successful, you may receive compensation to cover your medical bills, lost income, home modifications, and more.
What are the most common types of truck accidents in Kennewick, WA?
When drivers are behind the wheel of a semi-truck, some of the difficulties they face involve stopping, slowing down, and turning. Other automobile drivers are not aware of this and do not provide enough space for the trucks, which leads to dangerous and deadly accidents. In addition, truckers are expected to drive at all times of the day regardless of the road conditions, the weather, or traffic. Therefore, when there is sleet, snow, fog, road construction, or traffic, truck drivers must still get their cargo to a certain location by a specific time.
At Telaré Law, we have helped clients with different types of truck accidents, including:
- Rollover accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Wide-turn accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
To begin discussing your injuries and truck accident, visit our Kennewick or Richland office. You can also call our firm, or complete our contact form. Our team will be happy to schedule a free consultation to listen to your story and give you legal advice on how you should move forward. We hope to hear from you soon!