The trucking industry is vast all across the United States. If you are driving on the highway, chances are, you will encounter sharing the road with a truck driver. Considering their large size and weight, this can be a scary experience. It's common for accidents involving large trucks to be more severe and result in devastating injuries or even death.

Cause of Trucking Accidents

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 88 percent of truck-related crashes are due to driver error. Truck drivers must follow many laws and regulations to help reduce the likelihood of collisions, but sometimes it isn't enough. Some of the most common causes of truck-related accidents include:

Distracted Driving

Since truck drivers must travel on the roads for long periods, it's very easy for them to become distracted. Things like using their phone, eating/drinking, or fidgeting with the GPS may become tempting once a driver feels restless. Just like drivers in regular passenger cars, billboards, or other events on the road (such as car accidents or vehicles pulled over by police) may also be distracting.

Speeding

Trucks are a lot heavier than standard vehicles, making it easier to lose control when behind the wheel. Things like speeding or overtaking can increase the chances of causing an accident.

Drowsy Driving

Truck drivers are behind the wheel for long hours on end. This is why it is so important for drivers to follow the regulations they have set in place because it allows them to ensure they are getting adequate rest needed to operate such a large vehicle safely.

Maintenance

Failing to maintain a truck regularly can also be a cause of accidents. If a tire blows or breaks give out, it could put the truck driver and others on the road at risk.

Truck Related Accident Injuries

Due to large trucks being significantly heavier than an average motor vehicle, the impact can be greater, resulting in more severe injuries. There are a wide variety of injuries that can occur from a truck-related collision, but some of the most common are usually:

Head and Brain Injuries

Usually, injuries such as TBI, lacerations to the face or scalp, and blunt head trauma are common results of these accidents. Typical symptoms associated with injuries like this would include memory and mood problems, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, along with severe headaches. Head and brain damage can affect someone's life significantly, so immediate medical attention is very important. Victims typically experience a healthy recovery after proper treatment, adequate rest, and necessary surgical procedures.

Spinal Cord Injuries

These are usually the most severe injuries someone can suffer from a trucking-related accident. When significant damage is done to the spinal cord, paralysis is likely to occur at and below the site of injury, leaving people unable to move or walk. Typical recovery from injuries like this includes physical therapy and rehabilitation. Depending on the severity of the damage done, the functionality may be regained.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Although broken bones may seem like a simple injury, this isn't always the case. Due to the impact of collisions involving large trucks, some broken bone injuries (such as compound fractures) may need extensive surgery to be repaired. This could mean needing pins and screws or rods inserted into your body to hold the bone together. Recovery for these injuries typically includes medication, rest, and physical therapy.

Contact A Lawyer

Contact a skilled attorney right away if you or someone you know has sustained severe injuries after a truck-related accident. You may be owed financial compensation. Here at Gaddis, Herd, Craw & Adams, P.C., we have years of experience on our side to help you through your time of need. We are dedicated to getting you the justice you not only need but deserve.

Call us today at (719) 625-3310 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our award-winning attorneys.