Accidents Involving a Large Truck Require Special Consideration
A semi driver was killed recently in southern Illinois while his rig was parked on the shoulder of eastbound Interstate 70. Another semi, traveling in the same direction, sideswiped his truck – pinching him between his flatbed trailer and the speeding semi.
The driver of the semi fled the scene but was found and arrested for leaving the scene of a fatal accident the next day. He is being held on $500,000 bail, and may face more charges once the investigation is complete.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses increased 28 percent between 2009 and 2016. While large truck fatalities are on the rise, not every accident involving a large truck is fatal.
If you are injured in an accident involving a large truck, you will likely want to seek compensation from the driver’s insurance company. You may also want to seek damages if you believe that the truck driver was negligent.
Special regulations for large trucks
Because of their size and weight, trucks have special regulations that must be followed. Some of these regulations are pertinent to the following:
Proper loading and securing of cargo
Safe and legal operation of the truck on public roadways
Appropriate maintenance of the vehicle
Adequate training of the vehicle driver
Insurance requirements for large trucks
Accidents involving large trucks tend to cause more damage and injuries than those involving cars, which makes large trucks likely to be more highly insured. Trucking companies, in an effort to save money, will often hire independent contractors who may have a much lower level of insurance.
There are many special considerations to take into account when you are in an accident with a large truck, and they are probably things you know very little about. Hiring an attorney who specializes in this type of case can ensure that all of the special considerations are taken into account and that you receive the appropriate compensation.