Commercial trucks like 18-wheelers are today's biggest and most dangerous motor vehicles traveling on roads. When fully loaded, a semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. A vehicle that large traveling at 65 miles per hour on a freeway is a powerful, moving hazard for other motorists on the road. Large commercial truck accidents are more likely to result in fatalities than other types of vehicle accidents. For example, when a semi-truck takes a turn too quickly or has to stop abruptly, the truck can flip onto its side and then its roof, resulting in serious, even life-threatening injuries for the truck driver and drivers of other nearby vehicles.
Commercial truck rollover accidents are some of the most lethal crashes, as they commonly occur on freeways or other roads with higher speed limits and involve massive vehicles. Rollovers result in about five percent of the country's fatal truck accidents yearly, and it isn't always the truck driver that dies. When other cars are close by, the drivers and passengers are also at risk of injury or death.
Rollover accidents involving commercial trucks can occur for numerous reasons. Some of the most common causes include:
Many negligent actions by the truck driver can lead to a rollover accident, such as:
Truck drivers, or the trucking companies they work for, are responsible for properly maintaining their vehicles. Unfortunately, some vehicle or company owners may cut corners to lower expenses by not performing maintenance tasks as often as they should. The wear and tear on commercial trucks are extensive due to the time they are on the road. Some of the maintenance and defective part issues that could cause a truck rollover accident include:
Semi-trucks that are carrying full loads must be balanced to prevent rollover accidents. If the cargo in the trailer isn’t balanced, it increases the risk of the vehicle becoming top-heavy. If, for any reason, the weight shifts within the trailer, there is a high likelihood that the truck will overturn while making a turn or if there are high winds.
Any accident that involves a commercial truck can result in catastrophic injuries. Victims of rollover accidents could face months or years of medical treatment, which may mean they have to change careers or stop working altogether because of the crash. Some of the most common types of injuries that result from truck rollover accidents include:
Experienced truck accident lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident to help determine the underlying cause of the crash and who is liable for the damages it caused. Each case is different, so who is liable depends on the situation. Responsible parties in a truck rollover accident may include:
At Ross Feller Casey, we know that determining liability in a commercial truck crash is a complicated task that takes the expertise of knowledgeable personal injury attorneys. Our experienced lawyers handle all commercial accident claims, and we have a proven track record of securing large settlements and verdicts for our clients.
If you or your loved one was injured in a rollover commercial truck accident, Ross Feller Casey might be able to help. We represent clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Contact our office today to discuss your case with an attorney. The consultation is free, and you won't pay anything until we win your case.
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