Accidents involving large trucks are some of the most dangerous crashes on the road. These heavy vehicles take longer to stop, are harder to control, and can cause extreme damage in even a single crash. When a truck hits a car, the smaller vehicle often takes the worst of the impact. Many truck accident victims suffer serious injuries, and some do not survive. These crashes can change lives forever.
Krebs Law Personal Injury Lawyers helps victims of commercial truck accidents hold the responsible party accountable. If you've been injured in a crash with a semi truck, we can help you recover compensation for your injuries, property loss, and medical bills.
We understand how the trucking industry operates, and we know how to fight against trucking companies and their insurers. If you were hurt in a crash, don’t wait. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
A commercial truck accident happens when a large truck, such as a semi truck, tractor trailer, or other commercial vehicle, is involved in a crash with a car, motorcycle, or another vehicle on the road. These types of accidents can happen in many ways, including rear end collisions, head on collisions, or when a truck crosses into oncoming traffic due to mechanical failure or driver error. Because of the size and weight of trucks, even a low-speed crash can lead to severe damage and life-changing injuries.
Unlike regular car accidents, crashes involving large trucks often involve federal rules, complex investigations, and multiple parties such as truck drivers, trucking companies, and insurance carriers.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial drivers must follow strict safety regulations because truck crashes can result in fatal injuries, long-term disability, or major property loss. These cases require legal experience to hold the responsible party accountable.
A crash involving a passenger car and a commercial truck is much more dangerous than a crash between two regular vehicles. Large trucks weigh many times more than smaller cars and have longer stopping distances, wider turns, and large blind spots. Because of this, passenger vehicle drivers are at greater risk of being injured or killed when involved in a truck crash.
These cases are also more complex from a legal perspective. While a passenger vehicle accident usually involves one driver and one insurance policy, a commercial truck accident could involve the truck driver, the company that owns the truck, a maintenance contractor, a trailer owner, or even the party that loaded the cargo. That’s why truck accident victims often need legal help to understand who’s at fault and how to recover full compensation.
The extreme size and weight of semi trucks, especially those pulling loaded trailers, can cause devastating damage when a crash happens. When trucks are speeding, overloaded, or driven by tired or distracted drivers, the results can be deadly. In fact, many fatal crashes involving large trucks result in serious trauma, fatal injuries, or permanent disabilities for the individuals injured.
The number of fatal large truck crashes has increased over the years due to the rising number of registered vehicles and vehicle miles traveled across the U.S. Many of these accidents happen on highways at high speeds, which increases the force of impact. Survivors often face long hospital stays, lost income, and lifelong care needs. This is why truck crashes are considered some of the most serious and costly cases in personal injury law.
There are many reasons why commercial truck accidents happen, and most are preventable. In many cases, the cause of the crash can be traced back to poor decisions made by truck drivers, companies ignoring safety rules, or mechanical issues that went unaddressed.
Some of the most common causes that often lead to severe truck crashes, fatal injuries, and significant damage to other vehicles involved are:
Many truck drivers spend long hours behind the wheel, often driving through the night to meet delivery deadlines. While federal motor carrier safety rules limit how many hours they can drive, some ignore these rules or feel pressured by trucking companies to keep going.
Fatigue affects reaction time, focus, and judgment, making it one of the leading causes of crashes involving large trucks. When a truck driver falls asleep or makes a mistake due to exhaustion, the outcome can be catastrophic.
When semi trucks speed or drive aggressively, they become extremely dangerous on the road. Because large trucks are harder to stop and take longer to slow down, even small increases in speed can cause a truck to lose control and hit other vehicles.
Truck crashes caused by speeding often lead to rear end impacts, head on collisions, and rollovers, especially on highways or in bad weather conditions.
When trailers are not loaded correctly, the entire tractor trailer can become unstable. Improperly balanced or unsecured loads may shift during turns or braking, leading to rollovers, jackknifes, or underride accidents.
Some trucks carry hazardous materials that require extra care. If safety procedures are ignored, these loads can cause fires, spills, or explosions during a crash.
Truck crashes are sometimes caused by brake failure, steering issues, or tire blowouts. These problems often happen when the trucking company fails to perform regular inspections or skips needed repairs. Roadside inspections sometimes find commercial vehicles that are unsafe to drive, yet they remain on the road. Poor maintenance is a serious violation that puts everyone at risk.
Distractions like cell phones, GPS devices, or even eating while driving can lead to deadly mistakes. In other cases, truck drivers may be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications, which slow reaction times and impair judgment.
Crashes involving impaired or distracted drivers are completely preventable, yet they continue to cause serious injuries and fatal crashes across the country.
Victims of truck crashes often suffer more serious injuries than those involved in regular car accidents, mainly due to the size and weight of large trucks. These injuries can lead to long-term disabilities, overwhelming medical bills, and in tragic cases, death.
A few of the most common injuries seen in crashes involving semi trucks and other commercial vehicles include:
These injuries can take months or even years to heal, and in many cases, full recovery is never possible. That’s why it's important for truck accident victims to understand their legal rights and pursue the compensation they need to cover medical costs and long-term care.
Knowing what to do after a truck crash can make a big difference in both your safety and your legal case. The moments following an accident with a large truck can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps can help protect your health and your rights.
If you were hurt in a truck crash, you may be able to get money to help with your losses. These losses could include medical bills, lost income, pain, and damage to your car or other things. Truck accident victims often face big problems after a crash, and getting the right help can make a huge difference in recovery.
Medical Expenses and Future Treatment: You can get money to cover doctor visits, hospital stays, medicine, and surgery. If your injuries will need care later, you can also ask for money for future treatment like therapy or more operations.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: If you missed work because of your injuries, you can ask to be paid back for that lost money. If your injuries stop you from working the same job again, you may get more money to make up for the income you will lose in the future.
Pain and Suffering: This means the physical pain and the emotional stress caused by the crash. It’s hard to put a number on this, but it is still part of what you can ask for.
Property Damage: If your car or other things were damaged in the crash, you can ask for money to repair or replace them.
Wrongful Death Damages: If a loved one died in a truck accident, the family may get money to help with funeral costs, loss of income, and pain caused by losing them. This is called a wrongful death claim.
1. What makes a commercial vehicle accident different from a regular car crash?
A commercial vehicle accident usually involves large trucks, like semi trucks, tractor trailers, or buses. These vehicles are bigger, heavier, and harder to stop than most motor vehicles, so when they crash, the damage is often much worse. The rules are also different, because federal law controls how these trucks must be driven and maintained.
2. Are most truck accidents caused by the truck driver?
Yes, most truck accidents are caused by large truck drivers making mistakes, such as speeding, not sleeping enough, or driving distracted. Sometimes the company that owns the truck also shares blame if they did not fix broken parts or pushed the driver to break safety rules.
3. What is FMCSA and why does it matter?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the federal group that makes safety rules for trucks and buses. They check that drivers follow the law, that trucks are safe, and that companies do not put profits before safety. If someone breaks these rules, they can be held responsible after a crash.
4. Can I get hurt even if the truck didn’t hit my car directly?
Yes. In some crashes, the striking vehicle may cause other motor vehicles to crash or swerve. For example, if a truck hits one car, that car might hit yours. Or the truck might block traffic and cause you to lose control. These are still real cases, and you can still file a claim if you're hurt.
5. Do trucks pulling trailers cause more crashes?
Tractors pulling heavy trailers are harder to stop, especially in rain or if the load is not tied down right. These types of trucks are common in nonfatal crashes, but they can still cause serious damage. The size and speed of the trailer can turn a small mistake into a big disaster.
If you or someone in your family was hurt in a commercial vehicle accident, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Crashes involving large trucks, especially semi trucks and tractors pulling trailers, can cause a lot of pain, money problems, and stress. You may not know who is at fault or what your rights are. That’s where we can help.
Krebs Law Personal Injury Lawyers talks to truck accident victims every day. We know how hard life can get after a serious crash, and we work hard to get you the money and help you need. Our team understands the rules from the FMCSA and the laws that apply to trucks and buses. We will look at your case, talk to experts, and fight to make sure the responsible party pays for what happened.
Call us now for a free case evaluation. It costs you nothing to ask questions, and we’re ready to help you move forward.
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