The Dangers of 18 Wheeler and Big Rig Accidents
Every year, lawyers at Foley Law Firm work with car accident victims who have suffered physical and financial damages from their crashes. Any type of collision has the potential to cause harm, but 18 wheeler and big rig accidents carry a greater risk of disaster. Large truck accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 20 times more than passenger vehicles; the impact they create in a crash is enormous. Recent large truck accidents should serve as a reminder to drivers in Scranton, Stroudsburg, and Wilkes-Barre, PA, of the dangers surrounding commercial truck crashes.
Recent Truck Accident Fatalities
Passenger vehicles on the roads at any given time far outnumber commercial trucks. Still, large truck accidents occur at a startling frequency, and they often result in debilitating injuries or death.
Just a few weeks ago, there was a fatal truck accident in Wyoming County. The accident involved two vehicles - a pickup truck and a tractor-trailer. The collision, which took place on route 309 in Monroe Township, occurred when the pickup truck swerved into the path of the tractor-trailer. Police confirmed that the truck accident resulted in the death of the pickup truck driver.
The abovementioned truck accident came just a couple of weeks after a similar crash in Clinton Township, which took place on Route 6. This accident occurred when the driver of a big rig attempted to miss a stopped car. In this attempt, the big rig instead hit a different car that was coming from another direction. The driver of the struck vehicle was killed.
Dangers of 18 Wheeler and Big Rig Accidents
The recent large truck accidents in Wyoming County highlight the dangers that any driver faces if they are involved in a crash with a commercial vehicle. Neither of the accidents involved excessive speed, but both collisions resulted in death. This is because the weight of an 18 wheeler or big rig is so much more than that of a passenger vehicle (even a pickup truck) that most of the accident impact is sustained by the smaller vehicle.
Not all large truck accidents result in death, but most cause catastrophic injuries. It is not unusual for victims of commercial truck accidents to suffer debilitating injuries that require medical treatment and long-term care. Potential injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Traumatic spinal cord injuries.
Additional Truck Accident Damages
Sadly, physical injuries account for only a portion of truck accident damages. Financial losses are also common after a truck accident, and they tend to be steep. Accident victims may experience financial strain related to:
- Medical expenses
- Cost of ongoing therapy and/or rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Diminished wage earning capacity
Request a Consultation
If a loved one has been injured or killed in a large truck accident, attorneys at Foley Law Firm can determine the amount of compensation you may be due in a personal injury lawsuit. To request a personal consultation with our legal team, contact us online or call (570) 342-8194 at your earliest convenience.
