Victims Injured by Truck Driver Negligence
When truck collisions happen, they often result in catastrophe. The sheer size and weight of the vehicles combined with the speeds at which they travel results in thousands of injuries each year. If you or someone you love has been affected by a truck accident, you should consult an experienced Louisville truck accident attorney about your legal options. It is possible that the truck driver or trucking company could be deemed responsible for the accident.
The Devastation of a Truck Accident
There is a wealth of evidence demonstrating that most truckers are not operating under optimal conditions. Fatigue can often lead to poor or inattentive driving and crashes. Some examples include the following:
- Two National Transportation Safety Board studies discovered that as many as 40 percent of fatal truck crashes were linked to fatigue.
- According to an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2005 analysis, the number of truck drivers who stated that they fell asleep while driving was 21 percent, a figure up 50 percent from 2003.
- The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance found that drivers habitually falsify their logbooks to put in more hours at the wheel.
All of this adds up to large trucks being involved in 66,000 crashes resulting in injuries in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These collisions can result in serious injuries such as fractured bones, disfigurement, brain damage and severe blood loss.
Because of the myriad of safety issues, the commercial trucking industry is subject to stringent federal and state regulations such as requiring driver safety training, maintenance logs and driver logs. When companies and drivers fail to meet these guidelines, they may be found negligent. In cases such as these, courts can award damages to victims for their medical costs, travel expenses, lost wages and other costs.
Do You Need an Attorney For Your Truck Accident Case?
If you want to know more about your options under the law, you should contact Thomas Law Offices. With just a quick phone call, you can find out whether you may be entitled to compensation for your truck accident case. Louisville, KY truck driver negligence lawyer Tad Thomas listens to all of his clients and understands the complexities of the law. Call today for a free consultation.