| Truck
Accidents FAQs
What are some of the most common
tractor trailer accidents?
Is there a difference between a tractor
trailer accident and a car accident?
Are there additional laws that apply to
truckers to keep the roads safer?
Are there any federal regulations
governing truck drivers?
How do I recover compensation for damages
in a tractor trailer case?
How soon do I need to bring a case in a
tractor trailer collision?
Who will pay my medical bills in a
tractor trailer accident?
What are the common causes of truck
accidents?
Who can sue in a personal injury case
involving a truck accident injury?
What damages can be recovered in a
personal injury claim involving a tractor-trailer
truck?
What are the "hours of
service" rules?
Do I need an attorney to litigate my
truck accident case?
What are some of the most common
tractor trailer accidents?
The most common types of tractor trailer accidents
are:
Head on collisions
Rear end collisions
Broadside collisions
Center lane crossover
Lane change collisions
Jack-knifed trucks
Loss of control of vehicle
Hit and Run
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Is there a difference between a
tractor trailer accident and a car accident?
Trucking accidents are different from auto accidents
in many ways, one of the most serious being the extent
of damages and injuries when a truck and an automobile
collide. Because big rigs, 18 wheelers and
tractor-trailers can weigh in excess of 80,000 pounds,
a trucking collision can have deadly consequences.
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Are there additional laws that
apply to truckers to keep the roads safer?
There are unique laws and regulations that are
designed specifically to protect motorists from the
negligent actions of truck drivers and trucking
companies. Federal and state regulations require
truckers to have adequate rest to prevent driver
fatigue on the highway. There are also other specific
rules for trucks including proper loading of the
materials the truck is carrying and safety rules on
traveling speeds and when passing other vehicles.
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Are there any federal
regulations governing truck drivers?
Trucking companies are required to follow the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration's regulations
concerning equipment and hours of service. Truck
drivers are also required to maintain a driver's log;
however the timeframe is limited. Federal regulations
require commercial trucks to carry certain levels of
insurance coverage, depending on the nature of
materials hauled. These regulations protect victims of
large truck crashes from truck owners who may not have
the financial resources to pay damages out-of-pocket.
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How do I recover compensation
for damages in a tractor trailer case?
In order to get compensation, an attorney at Ted A.
Greve & Associates, P.A will need to show the
truck driver failed to use due care in the operation
of the truck. Typically, in cases where serious injury
has resulted, a plaintiff will have claims for pain
and suffering, negligent and/or intentional infliction
of emotional distress, and loss of consortium.
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How soon do I need to bring a
case in a tractor trailer collision?
You need to contact an
attorney at Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A as soon
as possible. In truck collisions, federal regulations
require that certain essential evidence only be
maintained for a limited amount of time. For instance,
the truck driver's log may be destroyed after six
months if an attorney does not obtain a court order or
take other immediate action.
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Who will pay my medical bills in
a tractor trailer accident?
The truck company may not pay your medical bills
immediately. However, your own insurance will often
contain medical payment provisions to pay for bills
ranging from funeral costs to x-rays. It is usually
not your best interest to sign a medical
release/authorization or to give a statement to the
trucking company or any insurance company before
contacting an attorney. Contact
Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A today to discuss
your situation and injuries.
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What are the common causes of
truck accidents?
Some of the most common causes of trucking accidents
include:
- Lack of training
- Overloaded trucks
- Oversized trucks
- Brake failure/defect
- Poor driving conditions
- Driver inexperience
- Fatigue
- Speeding
- Running off the road
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Aggressive driving behavior
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or
alcohol
- Dangerous or reckless driving
- Mechanical failure
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Who can sue in a personal injury
case involving a truck accident injury?
Anyone who is injured or has had a loved one killed in
a truck accident can sue as long as some other person
or entity, besides the person suing, is at fault for
the accident. This includes adults and children (who
can sue through guardians or parents); and even truck
drivers if another person or entity was at fault for
the accident.
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What damages can be recovered
in a personal injury claim involving a tractor-trailer
truck?
Each state has a different law regarding personal
injury damages. A seriously injured plaintiff may be
entitled to recover:
- all of his or her past and future medical
expenses;
- past and future loss of income/earning capacity;
- past and future pain, suffering and emotional
distress; and/or
- punitive damages
If a person dies in a truck accident, the survivors
may recover monetary damages for their economic losses
and emotional distress damages for loss of society,
love and comfort.
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What are the "hours of
service" rules?
Under federal "hours of service"
regulations, which took effect January 2004,
interstate commercial drivers are not allowed to drive
more than 11 consecutive hours or drive after 14 hours
on duty until they have had a 10-hour break. In
addition, according to federal regulations, commercial
truck drivers cannot drive after accruing 60 work
hours during a 7-day period or 70 work hours during an
8-day period. However, some of these rules &
regulations are in a state of flux.
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Do I need an attorney to
litigate my truck accident case?
Unless you have a minor injury, which is rare in truck
accident cases, you should retain
an attorney at Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A
An experienced truck accident attorney can secure
vital evidence before it is destroyed, and can
establish liability against any potential defendants
to help maximize your damage recovery.
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For more information, visit our page on Truck
Accidents.
Contact us online through our free
evaluation form if you have any questions about
your claim.
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