Southern Pines Truck Accident Lawyer
One of every eight accidents involves large trucks. Even more telling is the fact that of those accidents, 86 percent of fatalities are the people in the other vehicle, not the truck. This is mainly due to the large, unsteady nature of large trucks. If you or a loved one were involved in any type of truck accident, contact a Southern Pines truck accident lawyer who could examine all the aspects of your case and advise you of future legal options going forward. Call a compassionate attorney today for a free consultation.
Dangerous Vehicles in Southern Pines
Trucks are different than other automobiles and are dangerous to other vehicles for several reasons. These differences are important to note to understand how to better avoid these accidents. A few components that factor into this are:
Size
These vehicles are built to be big so that they could maximize the number of goods that could be transported. Due to the sheer size, commercial trucks pose a high risk to other vehicles they may collide with. The large size of the big-rigs, 18 wheelers, commercial vehicles, and tractor trailers allows for significant weight differences between them and passenger vehicles. A truck is typically 20 or 30 times heavier than the standard car.
Field of View
Also due to the sheer size, trucks have “blind spots”. These blind spots are similar to those of normal automobiles, except they are much larger and could actually prevent the truck driver from seeing an entire car or portions of the road.
Stopping Distance
The size and weight of trucks require longer stopping and acceleration distances than the average vehicle. The longer stopping distance may lead to a higher rate of rear-end accidents and the longer acceleration distances lead to the inability to react as quickly or as necessary to avoid other drivers on the road.
How Would a Truck’s Inventory Lead to an Accident?
Trucks could be used to transport any number of things. Most trucks transport goods of some kind, many of which could be dangerous materials, such as gasoline and corrosive agents. These substances could lead to an even more catastrophic incident and impact the lives of both the truck driver and anyone else involved.
Drivers
A significant factor in truck accidents could be the truck drivers themselves. Trucks are regulated by the federal government, specifically the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Despite this regulation, many companies may skirt the regulations. Companies could place unrealistic expectations on truck drivers to cover a specific distance, resulting in a lack of sleep and increased speeds which may increase the risk of an accident.
Why are Truck Accident Cases Unique?
Lawsuits for truck accidents in Southern Pines are different than general personal injury lawsuits for automobiles. This is because in truck accidents there may be multiple defendants. Liable parties could include:
- The actual truck driver
- Truck owner
- Truck’s maintenance team
- Cargo loaders
- Company who manufactured the truck
- Company who manufactured part on the truck
- Truck lessee
Depending on the circumstance, the above may not be the only parties that a lawsuit could be brought against. Not all truck drivers are employees of a company, some are considered independent contractors which means they often bare the burden of accidents.
How a Southern Pines Truck Accident Attorney Could Help
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Southern Pines, it is imperative that you seek out an experienced Southern Pines truck accident attorney. Only a seasoned attorney may know how to navigate personal injury or wrongful death statute of limitations and determine the party or parties to bring a suit against. A Southern Pines truck accident lawyer could be the one to fight tirelessly for what you deserve, so contact today to learn more.
