All accidents on the roadway are undoubtedly traumatic, especially when they involve severe injuries, but truck crashes are often particularly devastating simply due to the sheer size and weight of them. In fact, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, accidents involving large commercial trucks result in about 287,000 property damage claims, 77,000 injuries, and over 4,000 deaths in a single year. Many of these injuries are often catastrophic, inflicting lasting damage on survivors, permanently altering their lives and the lives of their family.

The Causes

Generally, most car accidents are the result of human error, such as inattention, or failure to observe the rules of the road. In trucking cases, however, even accidents that are the result of human error might implicate other parties, which means more than one person or entity could be responsible for your injuries. In addition to human error, many truck accidents are also caused by equipment failure and improper maintenance, for which multiple parties might be at fault.

Additionally, all commercial truck drivers must possess a valid commercial driver’s license that reflects their level of training and qualifies them to carry certain loads. Without the requisite training and qualifications, the trucking company could be held liable due to negligence in the area of hiring and training.

Compensation

A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh over 80,000 pounds, whereas an average car weighs about 3,000 pounds. It is not difficult to see how a collision between the two can cause serious injuries, which is why commercial truck crashes often involve large damages, given the immense pain and suffering victims face. The costs associated with such injuries are also often high and might even require lifelong care, which must be accounted for when determining compensation.

Experienced Memphis Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck accidents are some of the most devastating occurrences on the roadways. If you or a loved one was injured in a commercial truck accident, now is the time to obtain the skilled representation you deserve. At Reaves Law Firm, PLLC, our Memphis truck accident attorneys will be your voice against the opposition and fight for fair and just compensation on your behalf. You should not have to face this difficult time on your own, nor should you end up having to pay for someone else’s mistakes.

Contact our office today at (901) 352-0333 to schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable member of our Memphis legal team.