Any accident is scary and has the potential to cause serious injury, but when the accident involves a tractor-trailer truck, it’s often even worse. Understanding how a truck accident can differ from an accident involving passenger vehicles can help victims better understand how it may affect a personal injury suit later on.
First, there is the size of the truck, location of the accident and speed of the vehicles to consider. Anyone who has driven alongside a tractor-trailer — or even worse a double trailer — knows how imposing these vehicles are. They are difficult to maneuver and take longer to stop, and this is why the government requires drivers to complete training and pass the CDL test to operate the vehicle.
Tractor-trailers are used exclusively for transportation of goods, often across the country. This means that these trucks are more likely to appear on major highways and interstates that are designed for quick travel. Without lights, turns or stop-and-go traffic to deal with, drivers are usually able to deliver their loads faster than if they were using back roads. However, with the highways comes faster speeds, which can dramatically increase the risk of a serious or fatal accident.
Unfortunately, the anxiety of truck accidents doesn’t go away after the victims have been treated for their injuries and the police and insurance agents are involved. Truck companies have lawyers on retainer and pay other professionals to help them pay out the least amount possible in the case of an accident where the truck driver was at fault. Dealing with these people can be overwhelming for those not familiar with the procedures and laws involved, but talking with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident can help.
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