How a Commercial/Semi Truck Accident Differs from a Passenger Vehicle Crash (Part B)
If you or someone you love was injured in a similar semi truck accident, a truck accident lawyer may be able to help you build your case for the purposes of pursuing an accident injury claim against the negligent driver and the trucking company that owned the big rig.
The Heightened Danger of a Semi Truck Accident
According to the latest progress report (2009) by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, crashes involving big rigs resulted in over 3300 deaths, and about 74,000 injuries. It is important to note that about 75 percent of those injured and around 85 percent of those killed in commercial truck accidents are either drivers or passengers in the smaller vehicles, either passenger cars, motorcycles, or SUVs.
These statistics add up when you take into consideration that a fully loaded semi truck can weigh up to 80,000 lbs, the equivalent of over 25 standard passenger cars (which generally weight 3,000 lbs or less).
As a result, smaller vehicles are at a severe disadvantage in the event of a collision. Unsurprisingly, the amount of money involved in a commercial truck accident claim settlement should often times be significantly higher than would be expected from a traditional passenger car accident.
If you’ve been injured in a semi truck accident, a lawyer may be able to help you recoup the financial compensation you are entitled under the law.
The purpose of a personal injury claim is to make you whole after your accident, and if your injuries are significant, it will be difficult to get a fair settlement from the commercial vehicle company’s insurance provider without the assistance of a truck accident lawyer who has handled cases like yours before.
Providing the Legal Help You Need after a Semi Truck Accident
To learn more about the rights of semi truck accident victims and what you can do to protect your commercial truck accident claim, request one of Shane Smith’s books: 10 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Georgia Wreck Case and Property Damage Guide for Georgia. These books provide valuable tips from an experienced lawyer about pursuing your negligent driver claim, and are available free of charge to Georgia accident victims and their families. Contact our offices at (980) 246-2656.
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