Truck drivers are notoriously overworked, leading to nearly a half million (475,000) large truck accidents each year and the vast majority of them (to the tune of around 90%) are caused by human error. That is simply unacceptable. The fact is, a truck accident is vastly different than a normal automobile accident, leading to a higher rate of severe injury and death. Commercial motor vehicles like 18-wheelers are larger and more unwieldy than regular trucks and are more heavily regulated, making a truck accident case vastly different than a normal accident.
Driver fatigue is the leading cause of a truck accident, accounting for almost 40% of them. Nearly half of truck drivers have admitted to falling asleep on the road, versus the self-reported 10% of regular automobile drivers.
Nearly 5,000 people die every year due to truck accidents, and that’s 5,000 people too many. The fact is, when you’re dealing with the gross tonnage of a CMV (commercial motor vehicle), you’re talking about a truck that is almost 30 times heavier than a regular car. When that truck plows into you, your risk of death or severe injury is exponentially greater.
The two main types of accidents that occur involve:
1) Override accidents: This is when the truck rolls over you, leading to catastrophic injury to you and your vehicle. These will often crush or otherwise maim you.
2) Underride accidents: These occur when you wind up beneath any part of the truck, generally the trailer. It’s morbid, but it’s true, but these usually lead to decapitation.
The leading causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Reckless driving
- Inexperienced and poorly trained drivers
- Bad weather
- Intoxication
- Poorly loaded cargo
- Equipment failure
CMVs (defined as either weighing 5 tons or more, carrying 16 or more passengers or 8 or more passengers for monetary compensation, and/or is used to haul hazardous materials) are tightly industry regulated, making these cases far different than regular motor vehicle accidents. You need a specially trained lawyer to take on a case like this, and I have both the knowledge and the experience to represent you.
With over 40 years of truck accident experience and serving Columbus, Ohio, I will fight for you without asking for a single penny from you. I work on a contingency basis, when means if you don’t get paid, neither do I. As your attorney, I’m here for you 24/7 to answer any questions you may have. Call me today at 1 (877) 614-9524 for your FREE initial consultation. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed by a truck, I’ll work to ensure you get the financial restitution you deserve — and I’ll Make Them Pay!®