Although large commercial trucks play an important role in the economy, their impact on people around them is not always positive. These rigs crowd roadways and frequently cause dangerous collisions. The skilled injury attorneys at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy can help you in the aftermath of a big rig wreck.
If you are living with injuries sustained in a wreck involving an 18-wheeler, you could be entitled to a monetary award. Even if liability is clear, the trucking company and their insurance carrier are unlikely to take responsibility for their actions. A Dayton truck accident lawyer can hold the guilty party accountable and get you the compensation you deserve.
Injuries in Truck Collisions
While any incident involving an automobile has the potential to be devastating, big rig crashes frequently result in catastrophic injuries because of their large size and weight. This disparity between the size of commercial 18-wheelers and passenger vehicles makes it likely that the occupants of the smaller vehicle get the worst of the impact.
Incidents like this also tend to be severe due to the high speeds at which big rigs typically travel. These trucks spend a large portion of their time on highways, which have substantially higher speed limits than other types of roadways. Some of the injuries common in commercial 18-wheeler accidents include:
- Cuts and bruises
- Sprains
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Internal bleeding
- Paralysis and spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
If the financial strain of medical bills is not enough, injuries can be permanent, long-lasting, and prevent people from returning to work. A trucking wreck attorney at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy can help an injured driver recoup their losses after a truck collision.
Who is at Fault in Commercial Truck Incidents?
There are different parties that could be responsible for a big rig collision. In many cases, negligent actions by the truck driver will trigger the crash. Other parties could also contribute to the negligence that caused the wreck such as employing companies and manufacturers. One of our 18-wheeler crash attorneys in Dayton can help an injured person identify all the parties responsible for causing the collision.
The Truck Driver
Most commercial incidents like this occur due to human error. Drivers are frequently responsible for these collisions under a variety of circumstances. Some truckers cause incidents by committing road violations like speeding or failing to signal. Other drivers are responsible for crashes because they drive while intoxicated or fail to comply with federal regulations about driving extended periods of time without rest.
The Trucking Company
There are two different ways a company could face liability for a wreck. The first is a legal theory known as respondeat superior, which states that companies are responsible for the negligence of their employees while on the job. An 18-wheeler company could also be responsible for a crash by negligently loading cargo or hiring a driver they knew to be dangerous.
Rig Manufacturers
Some 18-wheeler crashes occur when there are malfunctioning parts within the vehicle itself. It could be possible to pursue a civil lawsuit against the manufacturer when a defective part—like faulty breaks or electrical problems—causes a wreck because the manufacturer is expected to provide safe and properly working parts.
Speak to a Dayton Attorney Experienced with Trucking Accidents Today
If an 18-wheeler wreck caused your injuries, you could have a viable claim for compensation to help you pay for your medical bills and recoup all of your losses.
Trucking companies often have substantial assets and a multitude of lawyers by their side. By enlisting the help of one of our dedicated Dayton personal injury lawyers, the chances of a satisfactory result in your case can increase tremendously. Call our legal team today to learn about your personalized options.
