In 2009, California reported more than 6,000 truck accidents, one of the highest in the country. Trucks are large oversized vehicles that can weight in excess of 40 tons. One can but imagine the damage these large vehicles can cause on impact with small personal automobiles. People lucky to survive could face permanent injury, disfigurement and possible death. A car, minivan or SUV is no match for the impact with an 18-wheeler, semi or other large truck.

Truck drivers are required to complete a level of training to ensure they can competently control this large vehicle. Long hours on the road, however, can cause fatigue. A truck driver should be aware of the symptoms indicating sleepiness and pull over at the earliest opportunity. Often this does not happen. Truck driver fatigue could cause the driver to swerve hitting another passing vehicle. The driver could fail to yield on city streets causing severe injury or death of crossing pedestrians. These incidents happen all too often by truck driver negligence.

Additionally, time schedules and need to meet mileage quotas could be an additional cause for concern. Driving a truck over the speed limit and tailgating could result in a rear end collision. The weight of any 18-wheeler needs more safe distance to stop the truck before bumping the back-end of an automobile. Truck drivers many overestimate the ability to stop the large vehicle and driver negligence could be detrimental to the car in front. Truck drivers and trucking companies need emphasize safety over time schedules.

Compensation to the victim and family is often a complex issue in cases of a truck accident. Despite freelance truck drivers, most drivers are employed with a regulated trucking company. Questions arise about the responsibilities of both driver and company. People who are injured as the result of a truck accident or suffer the loss of a loved one at the hands of a negligent truck driver need help. An experience accident attorney is capable of dealing with the trucking companies in order to receive full compensation for the victim’s loses. Companies that insurance the trucking industry has a field of experts fighting for the rights of the company. It can be overwhelming for the victim. The rights of the victim should also be protected.

Accident victims who suffer at the hands of a negligent truck driver could face serious injury, medical bills, lost time from work. Long-term care may involve lengthy rehab, pain and suffering. A life of a family member could have been lost. Accident victims or their families should seek help from an accident attorney experience in fighting for the rights of the victim.