fatal truck accident
Reckless Driving Caused Fatal Truck Accident, Officials Say
A number of truck accidents in Washington State and elsewhere in the nation occur because of reckless truck drivers. The recklessness could involve driving under the influence, distracted driving, traveling at an unsafe rate of speed, or driving an improperly maintained vehicle. Whatever the cause of a trucker’s recklessness, it is the occupant of the passenger vehicle who suffers the horrific consequences of a large truck accident. The smaller vehicles are usually unable to withstand the powerful impact of a truck accident. This results in serious injuries or even death.
A recent WKTR news report talks about a fiery truck accident on a highway in which a 24-year-old man, who was a passenger in a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass, died after a big rig rear-ended the vehicle. The car caught on fire and the passenger died at the scene. The truck driver, a 54-year-old man, has been charged with reckless driving. Officials say alcohol was not a factor in the crash. The Oldsmobile had just had a flat tire and was moving slowly along the exterior lanes. But the driver of the tractor-trailer was apparently not paying attention and struck the vehicle at 55 mph.
If you have been injured in a Washington truck accident as a result of brake failure that was caused by poor vehicle maintenance then you may be able to file an injury claim against the trucking company for their negligence. In such cases you may be able to seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost earnings, cost of rehabilitation, hospitalization, therapy and other expenses. In cases where the victim is deceased, family members could file wrongful death claims as well.
Please contact a skilled Seattle personal injury lawyer at The Bernard Law Group at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE, comprehensive and confidential consultation and case evaluation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington truck accident cases with useful educational information that will help you understand your legal rights and options. Please contact Kirk Bernard and his experienced legal team today.
Source:http://www.wtkr.com/news/dp-now-fatal-wreck.d18,0,7835439.story?track=rss
Truck Accident Proves Fatal for Vehicle Occupant
A number of Washington truck accidents occur because drivers of big rigs are not paying attention to the traffic or their surroundings. When big rig drivers make a mistake – even a small split second error – it can result in devastating consequences, especially for the occupants of the passenger car that has been hit. This is because of the sheer size and weight of the truck compared to a car. A loaded semi truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and is usually more than ten times the weight of a passenger sedan. And when such a large vehicle hits a car, one can only imagine the destruction that ensues.
According to a news report in the Sacramento Bee, local police are investigating a fatal truck accident involving a big rig and a car. The accident occurred when a big rig was pulling out of a parking lot. A Toyota Camry struck the center of the truck and became stuck underneath it. The car burst into flames and a person was trapped in the burning vehicle and died.
In this particular case, it also seems that a “truck underride” occurred. What this means is that the car went under the truck following the collision. This can cause significant injuries including severe head injuries. In this case, the vehicle caught fire when it got stuck under the truck. This also occurs frequently in underride accidents. Underride accidents could take place because the trucking company failed to install rear guards that adhere to federal truck safety standards. If the truck driver’s or the trucking company’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident and serious injuries, then the trucking firm could be held liable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Seattle truck accident, please consult with the skilled Seattle personal injury lawyers at The Bernard Law Firm. Please contact us at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE comprehensive and confidential consultation and case evaluation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington truck accident cases with useful educational information that will help you understand your legal rights and options. Please contact Kirk Bernard and his experienced legal team today.
