Truck Accident Injury & Fatality Statistics
In the United States, large trucks and buses are involved in about 4,000 fatal crashes each year. About 500,000 people are injured in large truck crashes annually.
Trucks weigh 20–30 times as much as passenger cars, and take much longer to stop. Truck drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles safely and to follow the rules of the road. Unfortunately, not all truck drivers do so, and accidents happen.
Moreover, even when truck drivers are following the rules, accidents can still happen because of the sheer size and weight of their vehicles. When a truck and a passenger car collide, it is almost always the occupants of the passenger car who are injured or killed.
What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?
When you get into a truck accident, you might get either minor or major injuries, such as:
- Head and brain injuries: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, skull fractures, and bleeding on the brain can all occur in a truck accident.
- Neck and back injuries: Whiplash is common, along with herniated discs, spinal cord damage, and paralysis.
- Broken bones: Any bone can be broken, but common fractures include those in the legs, arms, and ribs.
- Lacerations: Cuts and scrapes are common in truck accidents.
- Internal bleeding: This serious injury can occur when an organ is ruptured or damaged. Internal bleeding can lead to death if not treated immediately.
- Burns: These can range from first to third-degree burns, caused by the truck's engine, chemicals, or explosions.
- Spinal injuries: These can be extremely serious and can lead to paralysis.
- Wrongful death: In some cases, truck accidents can lead to the death of one or more occupants, and surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
If you've been involved in a truck accident, here are the critical steps you need to take right away:
- Call the police: Regardless of how minor the accident may seem, always call the police so they can investigate and file a report.
- Get medical attention: Even if you don't think you're injured, get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately apparent.
- Exchange information: Get the truck driver's name, contact information, insurance information, and license plate number. Also get contact information for any witnesses.
- Talk to witnesses: When witnesses are talking to the police, get their contact information so you can follow up later.
- Document the accident scene: If you have a camera or phone, take photos of the accident scene, the damage to your vehicle, and your injuries.
- Get the vehicle appraised: Once the police have cleared the scene, get your vehicle appraised so you know the cost to repair or replace it.
- Watch what you say: Be careful about what you say to insurance adjusters, police officers, and others. Don't admit fault or apologize, as these can be used against you later.
- Avoid posting to social media: Insurance companies and lawyers will look for anything they can use against you. Avoid posting anything about the accident on social media.
- Contact your insurance company: Let them know what happened and file a report so they can begin processing your claim.
- Follow your doctor's orders: Once you've seen a doctor, follow their instructions for care and recovery.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you've been seriously injured in a truck accident, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. A lawyer can deal with insurance companies and help you build a strong case so that you can get the maximum amount of money possible.
Truck accidents can be devastating, both emotionally and physically. But by taking the right steps after an accident, you can protect yourself and your rights.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
The answer will depend on the particular facts of your case, but there are several potential defendants who could be held liable for your injuries. These include the truck driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts, and even the government if the accident was caused by a defective road.
What If Multiple Parties Caused the Truck Accident?
In cases where multiple parties caused the truck accident, each party can be held liable for the portion of the damages they were responsible for. For example, if the truck driver was speeding and the trucking company failed to properly maintain the truck, then both parties could be held liable.
What Compensation Can I Get After a Truck Accident?
If you've been injured in a truck accident, you may be able to get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The amount of money you can get will depend on the severity of your injuries, the liable parties, and other factors.
Getting Legal Help After a Truck Accident
The most important thing you can do after a truck accident is to get legal help as soon as possible. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, and will fight to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible.
At Sgt. Pike, we have a team of experienced truck accident lawyers who are ready to help you with your case. Contact us today for a free consultation. We serve clients across Texas, including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.
No fee unless we win.