What you’ll learn reading this article:

• A recent study suggests collisions involving standard-size and commercial vehicles such as cars and semi-trucks, have increased each year since 2013 by 5%.
• Accidents with large trucks can be the most dangerous and fatal. Take steps to better share the road with large trucks and avoid possible accidents.
• If you are injured or killed in a semi-truck accident contact an Indianapolis truck accident attorney for help in holding the right person responsible for damages.

Does it make you nervous to share the road with a semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle? If driving beside a large truck makes you nervous, you are not alone. Many people view large trucks as a danger on the road, and they have very good reasons for their beliefs.

According to the most recent findings of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Factors, revised May 2018), 83% of the fatalities in large truck crashes are people other than the occupants of the large truck. In addition, fatalities in large truck crashes have increased by 5% each year since 2013.

Indiana lost 107 people in 126 large truck accidents during 2016. In addition to fatal truck accidents, there are approximately 2,182 truck crashes that caused non-fatal injuries during 2016. According to the IndyStar, there were 219,112 roadway crashes in 2017 and 911 of them resulted in fatalities. Of those accidents, 7.7% involved commercial vehicles such as large trucks, which on average caused more fatalities than non-commercial vehicle accidents. 

Your Reality in the Aftermath of a Truck Accident

If you are involved in an accident or collision with a large truck, you will likely be injured. The most common injuries caused by truck accidents include:

• Back, Neck and Spinal Injuries which may require surgery or physical therapy and could result in severe, life-changing disabilities such as paralysis. 
• Head Injuries such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries can range in severity and can affect you for the rest of their life. 
• Broken Bones are often the result of the blunt force of a truck crashing and compacting a standard-size vehicle like a car or even an SUV.
• Internal Injuries such as those to the internal organs like the kidneys, liver, pancreas, and bladder, can be caused by airbags, while other serious internal injuries such as pierced lungs can be caused by fractured ribs among other objects and debris dislodged during the crash and able to piece the skin.
• Soft Tissue Injuries, such as whiplash, contusions and even burns can occur in accidents with large trucks

A claim of wrongful death is a worst-case scenario in any motor vehicle accident, although it is much more common in the event of an accident with a truck. If you or a loved one are injured in an accident involving a large truck, seek the assistance of an Indianapolis truck accident attorney who can fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. If you lose a family member to a fatal truck accident, compensation for wrongful death could cover damages such as medical bills, funeral and burial costs, loss of wages and non-economic damages such as the mental anguish of surviving family members.

Decrease the Risk of an Accident with a Semi-Truck

Even though sharing the road with commercial trucks may be dangerous, the United States depends on the services provided by commercial trucking companies. Large trucks are one of the most efficient and economical ways to transport goods from one end of the country to the other end, and almost 10 million trucks are on the road today in America.

You cannot control road conditions or the actions of others on the road. However, you can take a few steps that could reduce your risk of being involved in a semi-truck accident.

Stay Out of a Large Truck’s No Zones

Large vehicles have large blind spots around the entire vehicle. Driving in a “no zone” can increase your risk of being involved in a commercial truck accident. Try to avoid driving in the truck’s blind spots so that the truck driver can see your vehicle.

Allow More Distance Between Your Vehicle and a Large Truck

Large trucks take a lot of room to maneuver. Turning, passing and stopping are much more complicated maneuvers in a semi-truck. When you are following a truck, stay back far enough so that you can clearly see the driver’s side mirrors. In addition, when you pass a commercial vehicle, allow more room before you re-enter the lane because trucks cannot stop quickly.

Never Pass a Semi-Truck on the Right Side

Trucks must have an extremely wide radius for right turns. If you attempt to pass a truck on the right to “beat” the truck, you may find yourself in an extremely dangerous place. Serious truck accidents occur when the truck driver does not see vehicles on the right side and run over the vehicle while turning.

Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery – Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured physically or mentally by a person, product or company, you need to know your legal rights. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced with cases like yours and can evaluate what your case may be worth. We will ensure that you are protected and compensated for your injuries and losses. Why pay up to 40% in attorney fees? Our fee is only 25%* and we fight to win your case or you pay no attorney fees at all. Don’t hesitate – one of our experienced attorneys can assist you right away. Call 1-800-265-9881 for a free case review.