Truck drivers are tasked with the responsibility of hauling goods and services all over the country. On your commute, you probably see at least one tractor-trailer per day. This is because there are nearly two million semi-trucks in operation in the United States. When commercial trucks pass through Rockville, there’s often little to talk about. Unfortunately, serious and even fatal accidents happen sometimes. If you or a family member has been involved in a crash, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim. A Rockville truck accident lawyer can help.
Why Are Tractor-Trailer Crashes So Common in Rockville?
When truck accidents happen in Rockville, many lives are impacted. The victims of the accident have to learn to cope with their injuries. Their family members, friends, and employers also need to make adjustments.
Understanding why these wrecks like that happen is an important part of building a strong claim. There are certain factors that are involved in a number of accidents, which include fatigue, distracted driving, drug and alcohol use, poor driving training or truck maintenance, and reckless driving behaviors.
Overworked drivers on strict deadlines may feel pressured to drive for long periods of time. Doing so without taking breaks to rest or sleep can result in difficulty driving. When tired, a driver’s ability to process what’s happening in their surroundings and react appropriately declines significantly.
Truckers are also at risk for distracted driving. If they need to change their route or make a phone call to their employer, they may do so without pulling over. Taking your eyes off the road for even a second can have disastrous consequences.
While most truck drivers are responsible behind the wheel, there are those that choose to consume alcohol or use drugs while driving. Doing so inhibits cognitive and motor functions, which means driving is incredibly unsafe to do.
Trucking companies are supposed to make sure their vehicles are roadworthy and their employees are capable drivers. If a company decides to cut corners to save money on taking care of the trucks or hiring drivers, the risk of one of their tractor-trailers getting into an accident increases.
Tight deadlines make speeding seem appealing to some truckers. Because of there size, however, large commercial vehicles need more time to accelerate and stop. If they’re speeding or tailgating, they may not have the time or space they need to avoid an accident.
Seeking Compensation for Semi Wreck Injuries
While any automobile accident can result in a variety of severe injuries, truck wrecks tend to cause the most catastrophic injuries. This is because of the size difference between a commercial vehicle and a passenger car.
Broken bones and internal injuries are common. Depending on the severity, surgery could be needed to correct the injury and allow healing to start. Physical therapy, especially for broken bones, is often needed to ensure the patient regains full motion or use of the bone that was broken.
The worst injuries relate to the spinal cord and brain. A spinal cord injury can require multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and more to help a person recover. If the spine was severed or severely damaged, there’s a chance full recovery isn’t possible. The patient could experience some degree of paralysis. With a traumatic brain injury, cognitive and motor function can be impacted. If the brain injury is irreparable, the person could have to learn to live with a disability.
When the injuries discussed above are fatal, the family has a right to file a wrongful death claim. Doing so will not only secure the family’s future, but it will hold the negligent party responsible for their actions.
When you file a truck accident claim, you’ll need to prove who caused your accident. We’ll conduct an investigation that proves liability—whether it was the trucker, trucking company, or auto parts manufacturer. After negligence is proven, we can begin seeking compensation to cover your injuries. You’ll likely be eligible for economic and noneconomic damages to cover your losses.
Reliable Legal Representation from Belsky & Horowitz, LLC
If you’re dealing with serious injuries after a crash, focusing on anything else can be a challenge. It’s likely you’ll need to take time off work, which could put you in a difficult financial situation. As the bills pile up, so does the stress—which can hinder your recovery. If the wreck wasn’t your fault, you have the right to seek compensation from the negligent party. Not only can that compensation take care of your financial struggles and crash-related losses, but it will help you get your life back in order faster.
Filing a claim is a complicated process, but doing so is the best way to maximize your chances of making a full recovery physically and financially. When you work with the Rockville truck accident lawyers from Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, we’ll handle the legal matters for you, so you can focus on your health. We’ll build a strong case on your behalf that proves you were wronged and are owed compensation.
If you’re ready to take legal action and secure your future, schedule a case review with our office today. We’ll examine your situation and provide you with legal advice. If you choose to pursue a claim with our help, we’ll be with you every step of the way.