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The Looming Threat of a Commercial Vehicle Accident


On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm posted in blog on Monday, July 10, 2017.

Driving comes with an acceptance of some risk. You know when you get into a vehicle, either as the driver or the passenger, that there’s always the potential for an accident. Someone could run a stop sign or a red light. An issue with the vehicle could cause an accident. Sometimes even inclement weather could contribute to a crash.

Most accidents end up being minor incidents but sometimes crashes result in serious injury or even in death. When there’s a discrepancy in the size, weight, or speed of the two vehicles, the potential for severe injuries or worse increases.

Commercial vehicles, like semi-trucks and eighteen-wheelers, can quickly change your life. These massive vehicles can completely destroy smaller vehicles without sustaining so much as a dent. While commercial trucks are a major part of the modern economy, they are also a major risk to everyone who uses public roads and highways. In 2015, the most recent year with federal safety statistics available, commercial trucks were involved in 87,000 crashes that resulted in serious physical injury. They were also involved in 4,311 crashes where one or more people died.

What happens after a commercial truck accident

In the wake of a major crash with a larger vehicle, there are several things to remember. One of them is to take steps to ensure your safety and the safety of everyone else in your vehicle. Then you should call 911 to seek emergency help.

If you are able to do so, document the scene of the accident and what you recall happening immediately before the crash. Making a record of what happened can help you in the future, especially if the commercial driver was at fault for your crash. As soon as law enforcement officials have documented the scene and taken your statement, seek medical care as needed.

Depending on the extent of your injuries or the injuries sustained by other people in your vehicle, there could be a lot of medical expenses associated with your crash. Chances are that your vehicle will also need substantial repairs or even replacement, depending on the extent of the damage from the collision. You may also miss work, which can result in financial hardship due to lost wages. The impact of a commercial vehicle accident could completely change your life.

Small mistakes by commercial drivers have big consequences

Those who drive commercial vehicles are susceptible to mistakes, just like everyone else on the road. They can get impassioned while talking on the cellphone or decide to send or read a text while driving. Sometimes, exhaustion can impair their decision making. Those mistakes could end up have a disproportionate impact on your life. You should explore all potential avenues for compensation after a crash with a commercial truck, from an insurance claim to a civil lawsuit.