Truck Driver Error | Kentucky Trucking Accident Lawyer
A large tractor trailer truck, by itself, is not inherently dangerous. As with all vehicles, they can’t be dangerous without drivers, and the sheer size and mass of semi-trucks makes them the most lethal vehicle on the road.
There were 4,317 fatalities in crashes that involved large trucks in 2015. Of that total, 83.3% of the fatalities were not the truck driver, they were the individual in the car, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian. That large object is simply incredibly dangerous to everyone else on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released The Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) in 2007, sampling 963 crashes involving large trucks.
Driver error was responsible for 87% of all trucking accidents in their study, broken down to include these sub-categories:
- Decision - 38% (driving too fast for conditions, misjudging speed of other vehicles, inadequate following distance, etc)
- Recognition - 28% (distraction or lack of attention)
- Non-performance - 12% (asleep at the wheel or some sort of physical or medical impairment)
- Performance - 9% (panic, overcompensation or poor control)
They broke down a number of associated factors. Those resulting from driver error include:
- Traveling too fast for conditions - 23% of total crashes
- Unfamiliar with roadway - 22%
- Over-the-counter drug use - 17%
- Inadequate surveillance - 14%
- Fatigue - 13%
- Felt under work pressure from carrier - 10%
- Made illegal maneuver - 9%
- Inattention - 9%
- External distraction - 8%
- Following too close - 5%
- Jackknife - 5%
- Illness - 3%
- Internal distraction - 2%
- Illegal drugs - 2%
- Alcohol - 1%
As you can see, there is a long list of the ways that driver error or negligence can result in an accident.
Due to the sheer size of large trucks, trucking accident injuries can be catastrophic or even fatal. The victims of trucking accidents are typically drivers in cars, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Their injuries commonly include, but are not limited to:
- Death
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Neck and back injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Broken bones
- Joint injuries
- Torn ligaments
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Paraplegia or quadriplegia
What Are Your Options if You Have Been Injured?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident due to driver error, then the driver is at fault and you are entitled to compensation.
Absolutely without question, your first priority has to be receiving all the proper medical care. Even if injuries seem minor, not all injuries are immediately apparent, and some wait days to show symptoms. These situations are very stressful, and they may cause you financial stress and worry, but absolutely make sure that you get every bit of care you need.
You or your loved one will be entitled to compensation for all past and future medical care. In addition, you may be entitled to compensation for (but not limited to):
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Long-term medical care
- Physical therapy
- Pain and suffering
While the driver is at fault, the trucking company’s insurance provider is the one responsible for paying damages in this case. They aren’t concerned for your wellbeing, their sole focus is on minimizing their financial liability - this is where these cases get tricky.
Experienced Matters In Selecting a Kentucky Trucking Accident Lawyer
Insurance companies are not going to go out of their way to pay you the compensation you are entitled to. You must force them to pay, and they have tricks to trip up those who don’t have experience dealing with trucking insurance companies or trucking accidents.
This is why selecting an experienced Kentucky trucking accident lawyer is so critical to securing the compensation you or your loved one deserve.
The experienced KY injury lawyers at Dallas & Turner, PLLC, regularly go up against trucking company insurance companies and fight to secure every last dollar our clients are entitled to. We serve trucking accident victims across all of Kentucky, and we are here to help you and your family navigate this difficult time and give you the peace of mind knowing you are in good hands.
FREE Consultation within 24 Hours, Guaranteed
If you or your loved one has been hurt in a trucking accident, we promise to connect you with an experienced Kentucky trucking accident lawyer within 24 hours. It is completely FREE, there is no financial obligation, and for the clients that sign with us, we don’t get paid until you get paid.
So don’t hesitate. You can call us right now at (859) 630-0666, talk to us via live chat or email us using our FREE online contact form.
We look forward to helping you and your family in this difficult time.
James Ryan Turner, Experienced Injury Lawyer in Florence, KY
"If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident due to the driver error or negligence, reach out today to talk to an experienced Kentucky truck accident lawyer. We have the experience you need to stand up to trucking insurance companies and secure the compensation you deserve."
