Introduction 

Large commercial trucks are remarkably larger and weigh up to 30 times more than passenger vehicles. It is understandable then that accidents involving them can cause major destruction, sometimes triggering chain-reaction crashes, serious injuries and loss of life. 

Not even to mention the financial and emotional stress victims and their families experience.

If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident involving a truck, an Austin truck accident lawyer can assist in pursuing fair compensation.

In this article, you will learn about the serious risks that are associated with truck accidents, the different types of accidents as well as the legal and financial challenges faced by victims and what can help.

The Science Behind Truck Accidents

Trucks have a very wide blind spot, making it difficult for the driver to spot nearby vehicles.

They also have slow acceleration and take a long time to stop, so if the driver has to stop suddenly, it could cause a rear-end collision, jackknifing or even rollovers.

Another major issue is when dangerous materials spill since many of these vehicles transport flammable or toxic substances – and if a collision occurs – it could lead to fires, explosions, or environmental damage, making the situation even worse…

The Most Frequent Truck Accidents

The most common types of truck crashes that pose serious risks for smaller vehicles are:

• Rear-end collisions – When a truck hits the back of a smaller vehicle, the immense force can kill or maim everyone in the car
• Jackknife accidents – Occur when the trailer swings sharply to the side, forming an angle that causes the driver to lose control, often blocking multiple lanes and triggering chain-reaction crashes
• Underride accidents – Among the most lethal, these happen when a car crashes into the underside of a truck’s trailer

How to Handle Truck Accident Claims

Filing a claim for a truck accident is much more complicated than a normal car accident case.

Liability can be assigned to the driver, the trucking company, the manufacturers, and the insurers, who will all try to pass the blame to someone else and make the process more complicated.

There is one more reason to worry about the federal safety regulations:

• It is illegal for trucking companies to allow their drivers to operate a vehicle that is not in good condition
• To allow their drivers to operate a vehicle for more than one shift without taking a rest
• To load a vehicle with more cargo than it can handle

However, to prove any violation of these rules, very precise legal procedures must be followed. 

Most of the time, the insurance companies and the trucking companies will fight in a way to pay you the least possible.

Based on these facts, it is recommended that you seek legal advice from an skilled truck accident attorney who has knowledge of trucking regulations. They will be able to help you avoid the pitfalls and fight for the rights of those who have been affected.

The Lasting Toll on Those Affected

Serious accidents could cause disabilities like paraplegia, brain damage or even amputations that affect the victims for the rest of their lives

It is also not so uncommon for victims to develop psychological symptoms like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and depression. Then, not to mention the stress of scraping together the expenses for medical care, rehabilitation and surgeries..

For those who cannot work, the loss of income is an additional problem. So, getting compensation to pay for these expenses and provide for the future is crucial.

Some Tips to Avoid Truck Collisions

Some of the precautionary measures include:

• Maintaining safe distances
• Do not drive within the truck’s blind spots (remember, if you cannot see the truck driver in his mirrors, he cannot see you..)
• Observe the speed limits
• Carry out regular maintenance checks on the vehicle to make sure that the brakes, tires and other critical components are in good condition

Technology has also helped to improve safety in this area. 

• Some of the features that have been incorporated include collision warning systems, which use sensors to alert the driver of potential collisions,
• and automatic braking systems that apply the brakes for the driver in case of potential collisions.

The standards are also improving through regulatory updates.

• Better work hour restrictions, better trained drivers and better inspections help to reduce the accidents. 

With these preventive measures, there are reduced chances of risks on the roads for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Large truck collisions are a higher risk on the road than other cars because of their size, weight and potential to cause damage. Those affected are likely to have serious injuries, psychological problems and financial losses,so, it is important to consider legal solutions for the compensation you deserve.

If you have become a victim of an accident that involved a truck, seek advice an experienced legal team who will be able to protect your best interests and help you get the compensation you need to recover.