A trucking accident occurs when large trailers collide with other vehicles or pedestrians on the road. Because these trucks are so much larger than other vehicles, many of these collisions result in critical injuries. According to the US Department of Transportation, nearly 500,000 tractor-trailer or trucking accidents occur in the United States each year. Of those 500,000 accidents, about 5,000 of them unfortunately result in death.
What is a Semi Truck?
There are several types of trucks that are on the road daily that New Orleans truck accident lawyers know can potentially be involved in a devastating collision. One type of truck is a semi truck. A semi truck is a large vehicle with a gross weight, without passengers and cargo, of more than 10,000 pounds. In the United States, a semi truck is also known as an eighteen-wheeler or a ‘big rig’ and can weigh as much as 80,000 to 100,000 pounds, depending on the kind of cargo that it is transporting.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
There are several reasons why truck accidents occur. The following is a list of the most common causes for commercial truck accidents:
Types of Trucking Accidents
Types of truck accidents often vary depending on the driver and the truck equipment. Below are a few of of the most common types of truck accidents:
Are You a Victim of a Trucking Accident?
A semi truck accident is not the same as other traffic accidents because of the increased risk of injuries and death in such accidents, as well as the likelihood of several different responsible parties. These types of collisions can be extremely complex. If you have been injured in a semi truck accident, or have lost a loved one to such a crash, you should contact the personal injury attorneys at Lambert Zainey as soon as possible.