Truck Accidents In DC

Truck accidents are not only dangerous for the drivers of small passenger vehicles on the road, they may also be more dangerous for truck drivers. Any motor vehicle accident can result in serious, life-threatening injuries for drivers, occupants, and bystanders. This can lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering. You and your family should not have to suffer because of another driver’s negligence.

Just like trucks, truck accidents come in all shapes and sizes. Accidents may involve a single pickup truck running off the road, a heavy-duty pickup involved in a head-on collision, or tractor trailers involved in a multi-vehicle accident. Trucks can involve different accident dynamics than other vehicles on the road because of their size, weight, payload, and shape. This can both protect truck drivers in minor accidents and also make certain types of accidents more likely, such as rollover accidents.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents on the road can be caused by any number of reasons. This includes accidents caused by the truck driver, by other drivers on the road, or by causes the truck driver has no control over. In some accidents, multiple parties may share the responsibility for causing the accident and may share liability for any damages involved.

Many truck accidents are caused by the same factors that cause most motor vehicle accidents. This includes speeding, driving too fast for the road conditions, distracted driving, drowsy driving, and failing to maintain a safe following distance. After these types of accidents, drivers often disagree with the cause of the accident. Each driver may blame the other because they believe they were not responsible, or they may blame the other driver because they do not want to pay for the accident.

Other accidents are out of the hands of the truck driver. Accidents can be caused by a drunk driver crossing over the center divider, dangerous road conditions, poorly signed construction zones, or traffic changes. Accident claims involving these kinds of accidents can be complicated. Instead of simply blaming the negligence of one driver, you may need the expert advice of engineers or other experts to testify on the dangers of the road conditions.

Vehicle malfunctions and defects are also blamed for a number of truck accidents. Modern trucks are made up of thousands of part, including multiple computer systems that oversee speed, navigation, and stability. It is not uncommon for vehicle systems to have errors or bugs. In some cases, these malfunctions can lead to serious injuries. Similar to the unintended acceleration problem that affected millions of Toyotas in recent years, vehicle defects or malfunctions in trucks could cause more serious injuries. When vehicle parts manufacturers first learn of dangerous defects, they may not immediately inform customers of the dangers, leading to unnecessary injury and even death.

Truck Accident Injury Claims

Accident claims involving commercial or government-owned trucks can be more complicated than accidents involving personal vehicles. In commercial accidents, the driver may try and blame the other driver because they fear losing their job. Their company may also resist paying for damages caused by their driver because they do not want their commercial driver’s insurance policies to go up. You may need your attorney to fight back to make sure these companies take your claim seriously.

Government-owned truck accident claims can be even more complicated. Claims against the government have special notice requirements. You may have to provide notice of your claim to the right government agency before the deadline. If you fail to notify the government of your accident in time, the government may deny your claim.

After any trucking accident, whether you are involved as the driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist, talk to an experienced DC personal injury attorney. They will inform you of your rights, make sure you file your claim in time and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Even a minor accident can lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With so much at stake, you need someone on your side who will fight for you.

Truck Accident Attorneys in Washington D.C.

If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, you should talk to an experienced Washington D.C. personal injury attorney about getting compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Your personal injury attorney will help guide you through the claims process and advise you of your options. You should not have to suffer due to someone else’s negligence. Do not hesitate to call Gilman & Bedigian today for a free consultation.