The time following a semi truck accident can be chaotic and confusing. If you or a loved one has been involved in a semi truck accident, you likely have a lot of people advising you on what you deserve and what you should do next. This can be overwhelming and may leave you with more questions than answers.
In this article, our semi truck accident attorney explores common questions asked by those involved in a semi truck accident.
What happens when a trucker gets into an accident?
We all know that semi trucks, short for semi-trailer trucks, are large, heavy vehicles. In the state of Nevada, a Commercial Driver License (CDL) is required to operate a vehicle that is 26,001 pounds or heavier. Drivers with a CDL are also held to different standards in order to maintain their CDL.
So, what happens when a trucker gets into an accident?
If the police are called to the scene of the accident, the truck driver is required to show their valid CDL. Often, the trucker must submit to drug or alcohol testing as well, to ensure they are not under the influence. If the driver is an independent contractor, they will be required to show proof of valid insurance as well. If the driver is employed by a trucking company, they will need to provide the company’s proof of insurance for the truck.
What happens after the semi truck accident report is completed depends on the severity of the damage to the truck and driver, and who owns the truck. If the trucker works as an employee of the company, the company’s legal team will typically handle the next steps. If the trucker works as an independent contractor, it’s a good idea to get in touch with a semi truck accident attorney in Sparks, NV to ensure his or her rights are protected.
The consequences for the truck driver vary depending on if they are responsible or at fault, if they were under the influence, if it was a mechanical failure on the truck, and the resulting injuries from the accident.
How common are semi truck accidents?
Statistics show that it’s more likely that an individual will be involved in a personal auto accident with another personal auto than with a semi truck. However, while accidents involving semi trucks occur less often than those involving passenger vehicles, semi truck accidents are often more fatal.
According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, large trucks accounted for only 4% of all registered vehicles, while 92% of registered vehicles were passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans). However, even though semi trucks accounted for a smaller number of vehicles on the road, 10% of all fatal crashes that year involved a semi truck. While there are less semi trucks than passenger cars on the road, accidents involving a semi truck tend to be more deadly.
If you have been involved in a semi truck accident, it’s important that you work with a qualified semi truck accident lawyer who understands the nature of these types of accidents.
What happens when a semi truck tips over?
Due to their height and the load they are carrying, semi trucks roll over or tip over more easily than passenger cars. A semi truck tips over when the wheels on one or both sides of the trailer lose contact with the ground, causing the truck to tip on its side or fall on its side. A roll over can be caused by excessive winds, an improperly balanced load, turning the truck too quickly, aggressive driving, distracted driving, poor truck maintenance, or acting to avoid a collision with another truck or passenger vehicle.
A semi truck tipping over will cause severe damage to the truck, any surrounding vehicles, and can cause serious bodily injury to the truck driver and drivers of any nearby vehicles. Our semi truck accident attorneys have worked a number of semi truck vs passenger vehicle cases and always advise drivers to exercise extreme caution around trucks and give trucks ample space.
If you’ve been involved in a semi truck accident and have questions about your case, contact our experienced semi truck accident attorneys here in Sparks, NV.
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