Why are tractor trailer accidents dangerous?
- Their size: In contrast to passenger cars, tractor trailers are incredibly large. This means they can block roadways, intersections, and surprise a passenger vehicle with an impact that can easily total their vehicle and cause major injuries.
- Trouble braking: Trucks take much longer to brake than other, smaller vehicles. Traveling at highway speeds, a truck would have to start braking hundreds of feet away in order to come to a complete and safe stop.
- They are unwieldy: In busy intersections, tractor trailers take more time to turn, stop, and accelerate. They can also easily obstruct the road in front of them, potentially setting the stage for an accident due to lack of driver visibility. They need more space and time to maneuver, and often leave little time for other drivers to react.
- They may carry hazardous materials: Trucks carry more than heavy cargo. Chemicals, liquids, and flammable material may be on board. This poses a serious hazard to anyone near the scene and sets the stage for potential explosions.
Common causes of tractor trailer accidents?
Often, tractor trailer collisions are the result of negligence and improper technique on behalf of the driver or their company. Common examples of driver negligence include:
- Fatigued driver/asleep at the wheel
- Driving under the influence
- Reckless driving behaviors such as speeding
- An improperly, or undertrained driver
In regard to the truck itself, its cargo may have been loaded improperly, or not adequately secured. Shifting cargo can cause dramatic handling problems, easily causing a rollover accident that can crush cars, pedestrians and property.
Do you need a lawyer to recover financial compensation?
Recovering compensation after being injured in a tractor-trailer accident can be complicated. Trucking companies and their insurance carriers will aggressively fight your claim because they know there’s a lot of money at stake. You need an experienced truck accident lawyer who knows how to fight back.
Our lawyers are very familiar with insurance company tactics designed to minimize your compensation. For example, they’ll question the seriousness of your injuries or argue they were pre-existing. They won’t share evidence that may prove negligence, such as hours of service (HOS) logs or information from the truck’s event data recorder.
Insurance companies don’t want you to have a lawyer. That makes it harder for them to pay you a little as possible. Our legal team takes steps to preserve evidence controlled by the trucking company. We carefully review accident reports and medical records and interview witnesses. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts.
We also understand the impact your injuries have had on your life and determine your total damages. These include all medical expenses related to your injuries, both now and in the future. They include lost wages if you were left unable to work. We also consider other damages, such as pain and suffering.
Our lawyers build strong cases that insurance companies have to take seriously. When they realize we are prepared to fight for you, insurance companies often agree to negotiate a settlement. But we’re not interested in making quick deals that help them save money. We are only interested in a resolution of your case that meets your needs – even if that means fighting for you in court.
You deserve real representation
Our firm has been fighting for the injured in Dover, Portsmouth and throughout New Hampshire since our founding in 1870. We believe that you should get the compensation you deserve and that you shouldn’t have to settle for less. That’s why we are committed to helping you get the best possible outcome.
You matter. Your suffering matters. If your pain has come as the result of negligence of a tractor-trailer driver, compensation and justice are not only something you deserve, but that you are entitled to under the law. We can help. Contact our attorneys today and schedule your free consultation. Learn how we can help you reclaim the life you may have thought was lost.
