A truck accident can happen when you least expect it

There are several rules of driving written in asphalt. Keep your eyes on the road, drive defensively and respect the almighty semi-truck. New drivers are taught that valuable lesson early on because the damage potential of a wreck involving a heavy multi-axle vehicle is astoundingly high. 18 rolling wheels loaded with tons of cargo far outweigh the smaller vehicles they share the road with. The same reason boxing has weight classes is the same reason a truck accident can be so devastating. The potential danger is just too great.

The size and power of large commercial vehicles help keep our country moving, but it can also create an extremely dangerous situation for drivers in their destructive path should something go wrong. A truck accident of that scale has the potential to cause massive trauma to the victims and even death. 

Injuries can vary from physical to mental and can remain long after the accident is over. The toll experienced by an insurance company hassling you while you’re just trying to get back on your feet and keep your family moving forward only adds to the strain. You just want a new car so you can get to work but instead you’re left to stare at the medical bills piling up on the kitchen table while you continue to lose wages and wonder when things are going to get better.

These companies know the damage an accident with a large truck can cause. More damage means a higher cost to start getting the victim's life back on track and they will fight to keep their compensation liability low. It can feel like it's too much to bear, but you don’t have to carry that weight alone.

If you or a loved one is injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, you need a personal injury lawyer who understands the damage a truck accident can cause and what to do going forward. At Wettermark Keith, we can evaluate your case and assign an accident lawyer with the knowledge and experience to help get you the settlement you deserve.

Understanding more about the causes of a semi accident will help you know what to look for and what to do should the accident unfortunately occur. Here are some of the causes of a truck accident that an experienced personal injury law professional can help identify and strengthen your case.

Tired truck drivers with 18 heavy wheels on the road: The main causes of an eighteen wheeler accident

Large trucks ride along the main veins of America hauling their cargo from coast to coast, from the deep south humidity to the cold north. For truck drivers, time is money and the longer they stay on the road the more they or their company can make. Long rides cause tired eyes and sometimes drivers don’t get the rest they need. If a trucking company is letting their drivers stay on the road longer than they should, there is no telling what other violations they are guilty of. 

A fully loaded truck can weigh in at around 80,000 pounds. The average crossover on the road weighs in at around 3,300 pounds. Imagine all of that weight bearing down on improperly maintained breaks at high speed down a hill. 18 wheels won’t be enough to stop what could happen. Through their negligence, the company that allowed that truck to be on the road has created a steel missile that will absolutely destroy anything it finds itself in a crash with. 

If they won’t let their drivers get the rest they need and if they won’t maintain their vehicles you can guarantee they are also cutting corners in securing their load creating the possibility for a disastrous situation in which the load may shift during travel – maybe even while they are barreling down hill on bad breaks – and cause a turnover. Their load could land on top of your vehicle or send their potentially hazardous load spilling across the highway. 

Whatever the cause, you can count on the trucking company to do everything in their power to sabotage insurance claims and stop you from getting a fair amount for the damage they caused. When that happens, you can count on Wettermark Keith to protect your rights.

What kind of injuries can you suffer in an accident?

The huge size disparity between a large commercial truck and the average passenger car on the road means that the injuries suffered after a truck crash with one have more in common with being hit by a train than a sedan. The damage caused can range from the physical to the emotional and can lead to lasting damage – potentially for the rest of your life.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – sudden trauma like an unexpected accident can cause issues ranging from minor concussions to severe brain damage.
• Physical injury – A crash can result in broken bones, spinal injuries, whiplash, and more. Some of the damage may heal with time and expensive medical care but other injuries may never heal right and lead to chronic pain.
• Burns – The sheer energy expelled in a truck accident can result in a fire or explosion. This can lead to permanent disfigurement or total loss of life.
• Physiological damage – Wrecks commonly lead to PTSD, anxiety, and depression. As the bills pile up and the painful memory of the wreck lingers it can put a considerable strain on the mind and have a significant impact on quality of life.  
• Death – In the most tragic cases, the truck accident can result in a fatality. When the worst happens, surviving family members have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for their loss.

What to do if you find yourself in a large truck crash: Trust in a Wettermark Keith accident lawyer for your personal injury case

Nobody wants to find themselves in need of a lawyer because of a potentially devastating accident with a large truck, but if the time comes, there is no firm better than Wettermark Keith to safeguard your rights. 

With experienced professionals on your team, we can help get you the money you need to get your life back on track.

Calling us immediately ensures that one of our experienced lawyers can begin work to secure vital evidence and begin work on your case before the trucking company has time to even think about offering a lowball settlement that won’t even begin to cover the damage done in the crash.

In your free consultation, the lawyer will learn more about you and your case. They will give you a good idea of the chances your case has at being settled or resolved at trial, and may offer to represent you. Should they offer, and should you accept, they’ll begin the process of collecting information - medical records, accident reports, eyewitness statements and driving logs from the trucking company.

Most truckers operate under large companies with a vested interest in keeping their trucks moving and settlement money to the victims of their negligence low. At Wettermark Keith, we won’t let you be taken advantage of in the event of an accident. Whether it's 18 wheels or less involved in your wheeler accident, we won't let the insurance or trucking companies get away with offering you less than you deserve.

Call us Wettermark Keith at (877) 715-9300 or through our website chat or web form to schedule your free consultation today.

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At Wettermark Keith™, we have an excellent reputation as one of the most accomplished personal injury firms in the country. We offer a diverse range of practice areas, including personal injury cases, auto wrecks, trucking wrecks, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, on-the-job injuries, social security, accident law and VA disability, to name just a few. At Wettermark Keith, we believe in taking cases personally. Our purpose is to practice with care and compassion - to tell our clients' stories and make their voices heard. We achieve this by building strong relationships based on constant communication and an unwavering dedication to truth and trust.